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Objectives: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is required under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act to communicate the risks of tobacco use to the public. Little research exists about methods to communicate the constituents of tobacco in a media campaign. This research examines specific strategies to increase effectiveness of a media campaign for cigarette smoking adults about tobacco constituents by including engagement text about smoking cessation and FDA as the source of the campaign. Methods: In an eye tracking study of 211 current cigarette smokers, participants randomly viewed 4 cigarette constituent messages that varied engagement text for quitting (benefits of quitting and quitline number, presence, absence) and by FDA source (presence, absence). After the eye tracking session, participants were asked about recall of the national quitline number and the source of message. Results: Participants in conditions with engagement text were significantly more likely than those in the no engagement conditions to recall the national quitline number. Few participants saw or recalled the FDA source. Conclusions: Engagement text for smoking cessation on constituent communication campaign messages significantly increases recall of the quitline, an important resource for smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now has regulatory authority over all tobacco products. Little is known about public awareness and perceptions of the FDA in its new role as a tobacco regulator. This research utilizes focus groups to examine perceptions of the FDA as a tobacco regulator so that the FDA can communicate better with the public about this role. Methods: We conducted 6 focus groups in 2014 in a diverse sample of smokers and non-smokers. Participants were asked if they had heard of the FDA, what they knew about the FDA, if they associated the FDA with tobacco, and their thoughts about this FDA role. Results: A total of 41 individuals participated. Although nearly all participants had heard of the FDA, most were not aware of the FDA's regulatory authority over tobacco products, did not associate the role of the FDA with tobacco, and some drew comparisons between the FDA's work in tobacco and its work regulating food and drugs. Conclusion: Data suggest that although public awareness of the FDA's regulatory authority over tobacco is low, with proper public education, the public may find the FDA to be a trustworthy source of tobacco regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]