Consumer Information
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland
Director-General, World Health Organization
There is evidence that many smokers are not fully aware of the high risks of disease and premature death that their choice entails. In low- and middle-income countries, many smokers may simply not know about these risks. Smoking is usually started in adolescence or early adulthood. Even when they have been given information, young people do not always have the capacity to use it to make sound decisions. Young people may be less aware than adults of the risk to their health that smoking poses. Most new recruits and would-be smokers also underestimate the risk of becoming addicted to nicotine.
There is extensive evidence from high-income countries that the provision of information to adult consumers about the addictive nature of tobacco and its burden of fatal and disabling diseases can reduce their consumption of cigarettes. "Information shocks," such as the publication of research studies with significant new information on the health effects of smoking, and health warnings reduce demand.
The World Bank Report
Do smokers know their risks and bear their costs?
"[In 1996 in China] only a minority of smokers recognized that lung cancer (36%) and heart disease (4%) can be caused by smoking" JAMA October 6, 1999
"[In 1995 in the United-States] most smokers do not view themselves at increased risk of heart disease or cancer." JAMA March 17, 1999