Effect of health warnings and cigarette advertising on Cuban university students and workers

Abstract

Objective: To identify differences in prevalence and addiction to tobacco use among University students and staff in Pinar del Río and Havana, in health sciences and other disciplines; to describe the effectiveness of health warnings and to characterize the advertising tactics directed at the studied populations.

Material and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study, using bibliographic, documentary, and social media review; survey and observation. Quantitative data were systematized in SPSS version 25 and descriptive statistics were used.

Results: Risk and addiction severity profiles vary between institutions. Health sciences students in Havana show an earlier onset of addiction than those in other disciplines, and workers from other disciplines in Pinar del Río exhibit greater chronicity and severity. Contextual and gender differences are observed. The ineffectiveness of textual health warnings is present across the entire population, although comprehension and credibility are high. Tobacco industry marketing tactics target vulnerable youth populations.

Conclusions: Cuba's adherence to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is insufficient in its practical implementation (Articles 11 and 13). The effectiveness of textual warnings is limited or nonexistent for cessation. Marketing bans are easily circumvented through free distribution and digital channels. A differentiated approach by territory, adoption of graphic health warnings, and control of advertising are required.

Keywords: Duty to Warn; Cigarettes; Smoking Prevention; Economy; Workers; University.