Salud Publica de Mexico · Jul 30, 2026
Pictorial health warnings and cessation-related behaviors in adult smokers in Mexico
By Arillo-Santillán E, Rodríguez-Guerra AI, Rodríguez-Bolaños R et al.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence and covariates of motivation to quit smoking and avoiding smoking due to pictorial health warnings (PHWs) on tobacco packages among adult smokers in Mexico. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using data from the National Survey of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Consumption (Encodat) 2025. A total of 2 477 adult smokers were included (weighted population: 13.4 million). Prevalences and 95% confidence intervals were estimated, as well as Poisson regression models with log link to calculate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios, taking into account the complex survey design. RESULTS: A total of 39.3% reported that PHWs motivated quitting smoking, while 26.9% indicated avoiding smoking when about to light a cigarette. Non-daily smoking, lower nicotine dependence, recent quit attempts, and interest in quitting smoking were associated with a higher likelihood of reporting both responses to PHWs. CONCLUSIONS: PHWs continue to be associated with tobacco cessation-related behaviors in adult smokers in Mexico. Their periodic updating and complementary measures could strengthen their effectiveness.