title: Exploring Perception of Indians about Plain Packaging of Tobacco Products: A Mixed Method Research.
abstract: This study assessed perceptions and support among the Indian populace about plain packaging for all tobacco products. Twelve focus group discussions (n = 124), stakeholder analysis with 24 officials and an opinion poll with 346 participants were conducted between December 2011 and May 2012, Delhi. Plain packages for tobacco products were favored by majority of participants (69%) and key stakeholders (92%). The majority of participants perceived that plain packaging would reduce the appeal and promotional value of the tobacco pack (>80%), prevent initiation of tobacco use among children and youth (>60%), motivate tobacco users to quit (>80%), increase notice ability, and effectiveness of pictorial health warnings on tobacco packs (>90%), reduce tobacco usage (75% of key stakeholders). Majority of participants favored light gray color for plain packaging. This study provides key evidence to advocate with Indian Government and other countries in South Asia region to introduce plain packaging legislation for all tobacco products.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Foundation of India , Delhi , India.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.affiliation: Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth , Delhi , India.
authors.forename: Abha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tewari
authors.affiliation: Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Grills
authors.affiliation: Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth , Delhi , India.
authors.forename: Gaurang P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Nazar
authors.affiliation: Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia.
authors.forename: Juhi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sonrexa
authors.affiliation: Public Health Foundation of India , Delhi , India.
authors.forename: Vinay K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Melbourne School of Population Health , Melbourne, VIC , Australia.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moodie
authors.affiliation: Public Health Foundation of India , Delhi , India.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Reddy
keywords: health policy; low middle income countries; packaging; public health; tobacco