Potential Effectiveness of Health Warning Labels among Employees in Thailand
Pimpan Silpasuwan EdD*, Yaowaluk Ngoenwiwatkul DrPH**, Chukiat Viwatwongkasem PhD***, Pratana Satitvipawee MPH***, Nithat Sirichotiratana PhD****, Dusit Sujirarat MSc*****
Affiliation : * Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok ** Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok *** Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok **** Department of Health Education and Behavioral Science, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok ***** Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objective : Explore and investigate the perceptions and responses of employees regarding the effects of a
Health Warning Label (HWL) on their decision to encourage quitting and stages of change in smoking
behavior.
Material and Method: One thousand six hundred thirty seven employees in workplaces from four regions,
including Bangkok city, were studied during the year 2005-2006. Six hundred nine employees (both non- or
cigarette smokers) were part of a cohort study using qualitative and quantitative approaches. Questionnaires
were used to sample the cohort twice and two individuals per factory were interviewed in-depth.
Results : The New-HWL that made the best impression was the “cancer caused by cigarette smoking” and 3.8%
stopped smoking after seeing the New-HWL. Moreover, New-HWL increased employees “pro” attitudes about
smoking cessation. Decisional balance that reflected different “con” to quit, among non-quitting and quitting
smokers.
Conclusion : New-HWL significantly increased attitudes about smoking cessation.
Keywords : Potential Effectiveness, Health Warning Label, Employee
