Impact of Cigarette Packages Warning Labels on Saudi Arabian People - Research Proposal Example

Impact of cigarette packages warning labels on Saudi Arabian people al Affiliation: Contents Contents 2 Time Scale (Ghatt chart) 6 Data Analysis 9 Introduction In the past one decade, the number of cigarette smokers in Saudi Arabia has increased tremendously. The government has tried to put up various measures in order to deter people from starting this behavior. However, the number of young people engaging in this vice continues to increase immensely. Some of the measures that have been put up by the administration include increasing the level of taxes levied on tobacco products. In addition, the government has regulated the smoking behavior through setting up various designated areas to be used by smokers. This is because the number of people suffering from secondhand smoke has gone up. The most affected are young children and expected mothers. Therefore, there have been attempts to segregate smokers from the rest of the population. However, the law is rarely implemented. This is because the politicians are not willing to lose their popularity. This is aggravating an already worse condition. Problem Statement Many of the smokers in the country have stated that they are more aware of the consequences of their behavior than before (Fischhoff, Brewer, Downs, & United States, 2011). Have the graphic images have not dampened their desire to smoke. Many state that whenever they come across the graphic warnings, they become more aware that smoking is hazardous to their health. Nevertheless, the addition empowers these cautions and the desire to quit the vice. Labeling of cigarette packages with warnings has a major impact on deterring new smokers from starting this behavior. Many of the young people feel that the graphic images make them to think of the repercussions of starting this behavior. However, those who were already affected by addition find it very hard to stop it (La, 2013). Therefore, the number of people who are joining the list of smokers has reduced in Saudi Arabia. However, the number of those who are quitting is very minimal. This is an indication that the warnings are more effective in deterring non-smokers not to engage in smoking behavior rather than encouraging the smokers to quit this vice. Therefore, the government should implement other more effective measures such as imposing stricter law on public smoking and stiff penalties to those who violates these rules. Cigarette packages warning labels acts as an effective tool for educating both the smokers and non-smokers on the health risks that are likely to face after using tobacco. This has increased the level of awareness among non-smokers and children. In addition, parents now have information on the repercussions of smoking. Therefore, they are able to advice their children accordingly (Alemanno, 2014). This is likely to reduce the number of children who will engage in smoking in the future. Furthermore, more people are likely to quit smoking now that they are aware of the consequences of their behavior. However, the rates of quitting are very low, an aspect that necessitates the need to conduct a research in order to identify why there are issues with the new measures. Background of the Study Branding and packaging of cigarettes is central to the marketing activities of the industry. In the past five decades, the industry has faced stiff regulations from the administration. This has affected its profits. Some of the companies have opted to quit or venture in other businesses. Others have diversified their operations to reduce the risks and uncertainties associated with smoking. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable diseases and deaths in Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of smoking in the country stands at 21% males and 0.9 females. However, 78% of the smokers are young people who are at their middle ages (21-50 years). The Saudi Arabian government has put a lot of effort to combat this vise as it is spending a lot of money to treat chronic diseases that emanates from smoking (Shimp, 2007). In addition, the government is directing a lot of money which could have been used to finance infrastructural development projects towards rehabilitating those who wants to quit the behavior. In 2012, six Gulf States enforced a law to use graphic warnings which will be printed in all cigarette boxes. Some of the images are of ill people, skeletons, black teeth, and other pictures that are discouraging smokers to quit their behavior. Furthermore, the images are accompanied by warning phrases. However, a study that was conducted in Saudi Arabia indicates that these measures have done very little in deterring smokers from going on with their behaviors. With Saudi Arabia being the 23rd country with the largest number of smokers despite having a small population of approximately 25 million people, the measures are yet to yield any fruits. Therefore, there is a need to identify factors that are hampering the success of these measures. It is the mandate of every government to protect its citizens. The number of non-smokers in Saudi Arabia is higher than that of the smokers. As a result, the government has the mandate of ensuring that majority of the population is protected from harmful smoke from cigarettes. In addition, family roles have changed significantly. This is because majority of the parents are spending a lot of their time in the workplaces. As a result, young children are being misled towards smoking by their peers. However, previous campaigns have failed to have any impact on the number of young people who are joining the vice. Therefore, it is critical to understand the impact of the new measures to label cigarettes using graphic pictures of ill people or even skeletons. Time Scale (Ghatt chart) Activity Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Designing the research problem and objectives Designing research methodology Literature review Data collection and analysis Report writing and submission The Objective of the Study General Objective: To investigate the impact of cigarette packages warning labels on Saudi Arabian people Specific Objective To analyze whether cigarette packages warning labels has an impact on the number of people quitting the smoking behavior. To analyze whether warning labels on cigarette packages has deterred people from starting the smoking behavior. To analyze whether the measures to put graphic images on cigarette packages encourages smokers to start the rehabilitation process Research Questions The examination if the existing literature concerning the impact of cigarette labeling prompted the investigation of the following question; what is the impact of cigarette packages warning labels on Saudi Arabian people? The following hypotheses were raised from this research question. HO1: Cigarette packages warning has an impact on the number of people quitting the smoking behavior. HO2: Warning labels on cigarette packages deters people from starting the smoking behavior. HO3: Measures to put graphic images on cigarette packages encourages smokers to start the rehabilitation process. Methodology In order to obtain in-depth information concerning the topic of study, a qualitative method will be used. This will be significant in coming up with a holistic conclusion that will help in decision making process. For the purpose of getting specific information from people who have been smoking, electronic questionnaire will be used to retrieve information from the respondents. The questionnaire shall be prepared to use 5- point Likert scale. Qualitative research will need a systematic way of coding, organizing, analyzing and organizing the non-numerical data. Therefore, the research shall use both print and electronic sources. A sampling method will be used to get a sample that will represent the rest of the population that has quitted the smoking behavior. In order to avoid any form of biasness, the samples will be selected randomly. Kothari (1984) described an appropriate sample as that which is representative of the whole population. He gave the formula for determining sample size as; n= Z2.p.q.N e2 (N-1) + Z2.p.q Where: n= desired sample size z2= is the standard variate at the required confidence interval (C.I). p= is the sample proportion in the target population estimated to have the characteristics being measured. q= 1-p N=size of the target population e2=acceptable error In this study; confidence interval will be 95%, P value of 0.05 and acceptable error of 0.05, Z is taken to be 1.96 as per table area under normal curve for the required C.I of 95% and N will be 4985. Therefore, n= 1.962× 0.05×0.95×4985 0.052 (4985-1) + 1.962 ×0.05×0.95 n= 72 Data Analysis With the importance of this study, all various that affect the outcome of this research will be taken into consideration. Therefore, correlation and regression analysis will be used. This will be significant in determining whether there is a positive relationship between labeling of cigarettes and the number of people quitting the smoking behavior. Other descriptive methods that will be used include mean, standard deviation, and mode. This will make it possible to come up with an exhaustive conclusion. Limitations One of the major limitations that are likely to derail this research is lack of cooperation from the respondents. Many of these smokers would prefer to keep the issue as confidential as possible. They might fear that the study might reveal the results to a third party. Therefore, majority of them might prefer not to participate in the study. Ethical consideration Ethical issues will be considered in order to ensure that this study is credible and reliable for decision making. As a result, in case a respondent want the information shared to remain confidential, this will be the case. This will be critical in earning the trust of those who will give out information on their behavior. The respondents will be interviewed away from their peers. This is to ensure that they feel free to share any critical information they may have, especially in regard to their health. References Alemanno, A. (2014). Regulating Lifestyle Risks. Cambridge University Press. Fischhoff, B., Brewer, N. T., Downs, J. S., & United States. (2011). Communicating risks and benefits: An evidence-based users guide. Silver Spring, MD: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration. La, T. G. (2013). Smoking prevention and cessation. New York: Springer. Shimp, T. A. (2007). Advertising, promotion, and other aspects of integrated marketing communications. Mason, OH: Thomson/South-Western. Read More