Abstract
The dangers of smoking cigarettes are commonly known especially by the smokers because every pack of cigarettes contained the words “smoking can cause cancer, heart attack, impotence, as well as pregnancy and fetal disorders.” The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between visual warning on cigarette packs and smoking behavior among teenagers. The population of this study were the 11th and 12th grade male students in a MAN (Madrasah Aliyah Negeri—Public Islamic Senior High School) in Banda Aceh with a sample of 71 students. This research was designed in the form of analytical survey with cross-sectional study approach. Data collection was conducted from 17 to 18 June 2016. The result of the study shows that teenage smoking behavior in a MAN in Banda Aceh correlates to visual illustration with p-value of 0.003, typography with p-value of 0.016, coloring with p-value of 0.037, and layout with p-value 0.001. Therefore, it is suggested that smoking hazards awareness programs need to be improved with various approaches. The government is expected to enact a regulation on using plain packaging and visual warning images that cover at least 50% of the cigarette package. The school is expected to administer regular health education programs and to provide guidance to students who smoke.