Students’ Perceptions of Health Warnings on Cigarette Packs

Health warnings on cigarette packs basically have an important role in minimizing addiction on active smokers. This research aims to examine several factors that underlie smoking behavior among students in response to the policy of Minister of Health Regulation Number 28 of 2013 concerning Warnings on Cigarette Packs at Universitas dr. Soebandi, Jember. This research was conducted using descriptive qualitative methods, with data collection techniques using interviews and non-participant observation. Interviews were also conducted with students who were active smokers as informants in this research. The theory used in this research is the S-O-R theory put forward by Carl I Hovland to understand the social reality in society that underlies an action. The results of the research show that there are several factors that underlie students' smoking habits, including cultural factors, students' personal experience, and educational factors. The majority of informants admitted that they understood quite well about the dangers and consequences of Minister of Health Regulation number 28 of 2013, but had not been able to stop their habit of continuing to smoke.