Antismoking Messages and Intention to Quit-17 Countries, 2008-2011

Antismoking mass media campaigns can help reduce the prevalence of smoking by discouraging young persons from initiating smoking and by encouraging current smokers to quit. CDC analyzed data from 17 countries that participated in the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, to assess whether awareness of anti-cigarette smoking information in four mass media channels (television, radio, billboards, and newspapers or magazines) was significantly associated with a current cigarette smoker's intention to quit. Caixeta et al discuss the results of the survey. In nine of 17 countries, intent to quit was significantly associated with awareness of antismoking messages in a single media channel versus no awareness, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.3 to 1.9. A CDC editorial note is presented.