Perception is reality: qualitative insights into how consumers perceive alcohol warning labels.

AIMS: This study explores perspectives of on-pack alcohol warning labels, and how they might influence alcohol purchase and/or consumption behavior to inform culturally appropriate label design for effective behavior change. METHODS: New Zealand participants ≥18 years, who reported having purchased and consumed alcoholic beverages in the last month were recruited via a market research panel and grouped into 10 focus groups (n = 53) by ethnicity (general population, Maori, and Pacific peoples), age group, and level of alcohol consumption. Participants were shown six potential alcohol health warning labels, with design informed by relevant literature, label framework, and stakeholder feedback. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed via qualitative (directed) content analysis. RESULTS: Effective alcohol labels should be prominent, featuring large red and/or black text with a red border, combining text with visuals, and words like "WARNING" in capitals. Labels should contrast with bottle color, be easily understood, and avoid excessive text and confusing imagery. Participants preferred specific health outcomes, such as heart disease and cancer, increasing message urgency and relevance. Anticipated behavior change included reduced drinking and increased awareness of harms, but some may attempt to mitigate warnings by covering or removing labels. Contextual factors, including consistent design and targeted labels for different beverages and populations, are crucial. There was a strong emphasis on collective health impacts, particularly among Maori and Pacific participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that implementing alcohol warning labels, combined with comprehensive strategies like retail and social marketing campaigns, could effectively inform and influence the behavior of New Zealand's varied drinkers.

Chatbots for Smoking Cessation: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant progress in reducing tobacco use over the past 2 decades, tobacco still kills over 8 million people every year. Digital interventions, such as text messaging, have been found to help people quit smoking. Chatbots, or conversational agents, are new digital tools that mimic instantaneous human conversation and therefore could extend the effectiveness of text messaging. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to assess the extent of research in the chatbot literature for smoking cessation and provide recommendations for future research in this area. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified through searches conducted in Embase, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Scopus, as well as additional searches on JMIR, Cochrane Library, Lancet Digital Health, and Digital Medicine. Studies were considered if they were conducted with tobacco smokers, were conducted between 2000 and 2021, were available in English, and included a chatbot intervention. RESULTS: Of 323 studies identified, 10 studies were included in the review (3 framework articles, 1 study protocol, 2 pilot studies, 2 trials, and 2 randomized controlled trials). Most studies noted some benefits related to smoking cessation and participant engagement; however, outcome measures varied considerably. The quality of the studies overall was low, with methodological issues and low follow-up rates. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed to make a firm conclusion about the efficacy of chatbots for smoking cessation. Researchers need to provide more in-depth descriptions of chatbot functionality, mode of delivery, and theoretical underpinnings. Consistency in language and terminology would also assist in reviews of what approaches work across the field.