Is the Label “not Recommended for Children” a Deterrent or Dangerous Attraction for Teenagers?

Purpose: Age restriction labels such as “not recommended for use in minors” began with cigarettes in 1966 in and now are found on many products that have been deemed by either the FDA or the manufacturer themselves as being unsafe for minor use. It is unclear whether these labels are acknowledged by adolescents, and if so, are they considered a deterrent or an enticement. Methods: To examine this, 150 adolescents (14-17 age range) attending an upper socioeconomic suburban high school were given an anonymous three part survey. Section one collected demographics and purchasing history. Section two asked the subject to view seven different novel similarly themed product dyads, and to choose one of each dyad. In each product dyad, one of the products contained a age restriction warning label product. Warning label placement and order of product presentation was randomized but two of each product except the novel power bar...