The Effect of Educational Videos Depicting The Impact of Smoking on Young Adults Smokers: A Qualitative Study

The morbidity caused by smoking is increasing. Meanwhile, very few people access smoking cessation counseling in primary health care. Therefore, more massive and innovative efforts to increase motivation to quit smoking are needed. This research aims to explore smokers’ perceptions of three types of videos that describe the impact of smoking.

Methods: This study used a descriptive qualitative method with in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Ethical clearance was obtained, and fourteen young adults who smoked were recruited by purposive sampling. Before the interview, participants watched five videos with the following categories: 1) the health impact of active smoking, 2) the health impact of passive smoking, and 3) the burden on the family of smokers getting smoking-related diseases. Data analysis was conducted using inductive content analysis. Results: Five themes describe smokers’ perceptions of videos depicting the effects of smoking: a) The video is interesting and can help imagine real condition visualization of the impact of smoking; b) The video deeply resonates with smokers; c) The health impact of the passive smoker and family video is more impactful than the health impact of active smoking video; d) The health impact of active smoking videos make smokers aware of smoking on themselves; e) These videos can increase motivation to quit smoking.

Conclusion: This research can be a recommendation in health education and smoking cessation counseling using videos that describe the health impact of smoking, especially with an approach that highlights the effects on passive smokers and families.