Videos showing experiences of cancer patients on how tobacco has ruined their life, and other anti-tobacco messages in cinema halls did have an impact on Mumbaikars, shows a recently concluded survey done by Cancer Patients Aids Association (CPAA).
Videos showing experiences of cancer patients on how tobacco has ruined their life, and other anti-tobacco messages in cinema halls did have an impact on Mumbaikars, shows a recently concluded survey done by Cancer Patients Aids Association (CPAA).
What was the survey sample size?
"We had picked 25 cinema halls across the city; 50 people at each hall were interviewed," said Anita Peters, executive director, CPAA.
What were the findings?
Conducted last December, the survey showed that 84% agreed that anti-tobacco messages have a positive impact in helping a person quit tobacco.
Almost 77% rated the quality of current message shown good.
In the survey, 68% said such advertisements are a vital medium to raise awareness about the ill effects of tobacco, and 40% said the messages will motivate tobacco users to kick the habit.
What's been the impact?
"During our survey, many people confessed that the messages are so impactful that they are scared to show them to their children. A lot of people try to skip the advertisement (by turning up late for the movie) but fail to (as the message is shown after interval too)," said Peters.
"About half of the tobacco users think it will motivate them to quit it. Furthermore, two-third of youths were motivated to not use tobacco after watching the messages."
What's the conclusion?
CPAA concluded that there needs to be continuous reinforcement about the harms of tobacco use. "Use of such form of media — TV, radio, social media, flyers, posters, hoardings, story of affected people — is very effective and needs to be at the prime time to control the menace of tobacco," said Peters.
Worldwide...
Research has shown that mass media campaigns are one of the most effective means to encourage people to give up tobacco. Hard-hitting campaigns can compel tobacco users to quit, increase knowledge of the health risks of tobacco use, and promote behaviour change in both smokers and non-smokers. It is one of the World Health Organization's M-P-O-W-E-R (W=Warn) strategies to reduce tobacco consumption.
Take note
The symptoms of tobacco-related cancers include shortness of breath, continuous cough and blood in the sputum.
With smokeless tobacco, ulcers and lesions on the inside of the mouth, lips and gums, difficulty swallowing, and constant throat infections can signal the onset of virulent cancers.
The relatively poor survival rates of oral cancer patients also signal the need for tobacco users and their families and friends to prevent the onset of cancer through early detection.
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