title: Cigarette packaging: Youth perceptions of "natural" cigarettes, filter references, and contraband tobacco.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study examined youth perceptions of appeal and harm of cigarette packaging with "natural" tobacco descriptors and references to filtration, as well as contraband tobacco in generic packaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a between-group experiment, 7,647 youth were randomized to view a pair of cigarette packages and rate perceptions of appeal and relative risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings indicate that packages with "natural" descriptors were rated as significantly more appealing and less harmful. Packages with filter references were rated as significantly less harmful, whereas contraband cigarettes were rated as significantly less appealing than leading brands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that cigarette packaging can enhance the appeal of cigarettes and may promote false beliefs about the reduced harm of brands. The lower appeal of contraband cigarettes suggests that other factors, such as reduced price and ease of access, likely account for contraband use among youth.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Christine D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Czoli
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: dhammond@uwaterloo.ca.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hammond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D040541:Marketing; D009864:Ontario; D011356:Product Labeling; D019064:Product Packaging; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D062789:Tobacco Products
keywords: Appeal; Packaging; Risk; Tobacco; Youth smoking