One size does not fit all: how the tobacco industry has altered cigarette design to target consumer groups with specific psychological and psychosocial needs.
OBJECTIVE
To identify whether the tobacco industry has targeted cigarette product design towards individuals with varying psychological/psychosocial needs.


METHODS
Internal industry documents were identified through searches of an online archival document research tool database using relevancy criteria of consumer segmentation and needs assessment.


RESULTS
The industry segmented consumer markets based on psychological needs (stress relief, behavioral arousal, performance enhancement, obesity reduction) and psychosocial needs (social acceptance, personal image). Associations between these segments and smoking behaviors, brand and design preferences were used to create cigarette brands targeting individuals with these needs.


CONCLUSIONS
Cigarette brands created to address the psychological/psychosocial needs of smokers may increase the likelihood of smoking initiation and addiction. Awareness of targeted product development will improve smoking cessation and prevention efforts.
Cook
Benjamin Lê
BL
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Tobacco Control Division, Boston, MA, USA.
Wayne
Geoffrey Ferris
GF
Keithly
Lois
L
Connolly
Gregory
G
D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D004282:Documentation; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010551:Personality; D019064:Product Packaging / Q000639:trends; D011996:Records; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000379:methods*