Intention to quit tobacco and Perceptions About Enhanced Pictorial Warnings on Tobacco Products Among Male College Students in Puducherry- Mixed-Methods Study

Background: Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) recognized pictorial health warnings on tobacco products as a powerful public health intervention tool to communicate health risks and to bring about a behavioral change like quitting and reduction in tobacco consumption Objectives: To explore the perceptions on pictorial warnings on tobacco products and to find out the prevalence of ever and current tobacco product users, influencing factors and barriers in intention to quit tobacco among male college students. Material and Methods: An Exploratory Mixed-Method study [Two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among students followed by survey among 450 male college students] was carried out in an engineering college in Puducherry during December 2016- February 2017. Results: As perceived by the students, the new pictorial warnings when compared to the old ones had better precision of pictures, convey the message better and elicit fear among the users. Out of 450 participating students, 57 (12.7%) students were ever users and 39 (8.7%) were current users of tobacco. Among current users, 30 (76.9%) has intention to quit the habit. Out of 450 students, 184 (41.1%) students have noticed the pictorial warnings and 111 (24.7%) of them stated that it will encourage users in quitting. Conclusion: Though the new pictorial warnings bring a sense of fear on initiators, it fails to create an impact on chronic users. Majority of the current users has intention to quit tobacco and would like to follow a healthy lifestyle.