Animated videos increase support for tobacco policy in Missouri voters

Audience:

This presentation is relevant to researchers and practitioners who are interested in the role of communication in advancing public support for evidence-based tobacco control policies. 

Key Points:

The general public is increasingly exposed to sophisticated visual displays of data and information. To keep pace, the tobacco control community must develop clear and compelling ways to share knowledge with the public and other audiences. A collaborative team of researchers, cancer registrars, epidemiologists, and experts in health communication and visual design developed a series of three animated, data-driven videos that bring to life the best data and information about smoking in Missouri. In a randomized study of Missouri voters from around the state, people who watched a video that explains the problem of smoking plus videos that outline the role of tobacco control policies and evidence for those policies showed significantly increased understanding of and support for tobacco policy compared to those who only saw the video explaining the problem of smoking. These findings emphasize the importance of educating the public on the efficacy of tobacco policies. 

Educational Experience:

Attendees see a presentation on their development and the methods and findings of the research study in which the videos were tested. They will also view the videos and learn how they can be used.

Benefits:

These videos are freely available for the tobacco control community to use in whatever way they see fit in their outreach and education efforts. We anticipate a lively discussion around how they may be best used in Missouri and elsewhere.