Dr Owen Carter

Senior Research Fellow, CBRCC

Owen Carter holds Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Arts (Ancient History) degrees from The University of Western Australia and a Doctor of Psychology degree from Murdoch University. He is also currently completing a Master of Science (Public Health) degree at Curtin University. He joined CBRCC as a Research Fellow in October 2002. Prior to this he worked for five years as a Policy Officer at General Practice Divisions of Western Australia, as a Research Officer at the Western Australian Department of Health and as a Research Assistant at the University of Pittsburgh. Beginning in 2006 he became the recipient of a five-year Healthway Research Fellowship in Tobacco Control at CBRCC.

Research Interests

• Tobacco Control advertising on television and the Internet
• Efficacy of smoking cessation pharmaceuticals
• Ultraviolet Index promotion
• Childhood obesity, television and computer games

Book Chapters

1. Carter, O. (2008) Changes in the attitudes and beliefs of Western Australian smokers, 1984-2007 (in) The Cancer Council Western Australia. The progress of tobacco control in Western Australia: achievements, challenges and hopes for the future. Perth: The Cancer Council Western Australia, pp.23-30. ISBN 1876628855.

Journal Articles

1. Patterson, L., Carter, O., Donovan, R. Roberts, C. & Ewing, M. (under review) Children’s appreciation of the purpose of junk food television advertising: a comparison of verbal versus nonverbal assessments, Health Education Research.
2. Mills, B., Carter, O. & Donovan, R. (under review) Maximising recall of graphic health warnings in television advertisements: an experimental investigation, Journal of Health Communication.
3. Carter, O., Pollard, C., Atkins, J., van Eer, J., Pratt, S. (under review) “You’re not going to die if you don’t get it”: Qualitative reflections after seventeen years of the Western Australian Go for 2 Fruit & 5 Veg Campaign, Public Health Nutrition.
4. Allsop, S., Carter, O. & Lenton, S. (accepted January 2010) Enhancing clinical research with alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use, Drug & Alcohol Review.
5. Economo, K., Stewart, S., Sullivan, D., Jalleh, G., Carter, O. & Lin, C. (accepted Nov 2009) The importance of public education campaigns in raising awareness and support for smoke-free car legislation in Western Australia, ANZJPH.
6. Carter, O., Mills, B. & Donovan, R. (2009) The effect of retail cigarette pack displays on unplanned purchases: results from immediate post-purchase interviews, Tobacco Control, 18, 218-221. [PDF 73KB]
7. Pilkington, A., Carter, O., Cameron, A. & Thompson, S. (2009) Tobacco control practices amongst Aboriginal health professionals in Western Australia, Australian Journal of Primary Health, 15, 152-158.
8. Carter, O., Donovan, R., Weller, N. & Jalleh, G. (2007) Impact of Smoking Images in Magazines on the Smoking Attitudes and Intentions of Youth: An Experimental Investigation, Tobacco Control, 16(6), 368-72. [PDF 216KB] [images used in the experiment]
9. Carter, O. & Donovan, R. (2007) Public (Mis)understanding of the UV Index, Journal of Health Communication, 12, 41-52. [PDF 98KB]
10. Donovan, R., Carter, O. & Byrne, M. (2006) People's perceptions of cancer survivability: implications for oncologists, Lancet Oncology, 7(8), 668-675. [PDF 81KB]
11. Donovan, R., Jalleh, G., & Carter, O. (2006) Tobacco Industry Smoking Prevention Advertisements' Impact on Youth Motivation for Smoking in the Future, Social Marketing Quarterly, 12(2), 3-13. [PDF 302KB]
12. Carter, O. (2006) Parents, not TV screens, should be targetted to reduce childhood obesity: a response to Dehghan, Akhtar-Danesh and Merchant, Nutrition Journal, 4, 24. [link]

13. Carter, O. (2006) The weighty issue of childhood obesity and television food advertising in Australia, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 17(1), 5-11. [PDF 96KB]

14. Jones, S., Carter, O., Donovan, R. & Jalleh, G. (2005) Western Australians' perceptions of the survivability of different cancers: implications for public education campaigns, Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 16(2), 124-128. [PDF 55KB]

15. Carter, O. (2005) Changes in obesity, sedentary behaviours and Perth children's television viewing from 1960 to 2003, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 29(2), 235-236. [PDF 33KB]

16. Donovan, R., Carter, O., Jalleh, G. & Jones, S. (2004) Changes in Western Australians' Beliefs about Cancer, 1964 -2001, Medical Journal of Australia, 181, 23-25. [PDF 232KB]

17. Donovan, R., Boulter, J., Borland, R., Jalleh, G., & Carter, O. (2003) Continuous Tracking of the Australian National Tobacco Campaign: Advertising Effects on Recall, Recognition, Cognitions and Behaviour, Tobacco Control, 12, II30-II39. [PDF 852KB]

18. Page, A., Bennet, K., Carter, O., Smith, J. & Woodmore, K. (1997) The Blood-Injection Symptom Scale (BISS): Assessing a structure of phobic symptoms elicited by blood and injections, Behavior Research and Therapy, 35, 457-464. [PDF 668KB]

Competetive Research Grants Awarded

1. Carter, O. & Mills, B. (2009-10) Exploratory investigation of people's awareness of the relationship between calorie consumption and expenditure, and its application to food labelling, ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness (0052-2009), $20,020.

2. Howat, P., McManus, A., Anderson, A., Jancey, J., Dhaliwal, S., Burns, S., Hills, A., Oldenburg, B., Jones, C., Slevin, T., Shilton, T., Carter, O. & Pollard, C. (2009-11) Obesity prevention in young women, NHMRC (533500), $455,500.

3. Donovan, R., Borland, R., Daube, M., Carter, O. & Siahpush, M. (2007-9) A longitudinal investigation of pharmacological smoking cessation aids in real-life settings, NHMRC (425505), $573,475.
4. Howat, P., McManus, A., Burns, S., Dhaliwal, S. Jancey, J., Carter, O., Slevin, T. & Donovan, R. (2007-8) An intervention to reduce the risk of overweight and obesity in mothers of young children, Healthway (16182), $153,000.
5. Donovan, R., Ewing, M., Pettigrew, S., Ouschan-Mcrae, R. & Carter, O. (2007) Identifying elements of alcohol television advertising that predict advertising impact on under-age youth, Healthway (16177), $74,000.
6. Donovan, R., Daube, M., Sullivan, D., Jalleh, G. & Carter, O. (2006-10) CBRCC Tobacco Control Research Fellow Training Program, Healthway (15054), $450,000.

7. Donovan, R., Roberts, C., Carter, O. & Portsmouth, L. (2006-7) Using television advertising to increase fruit consumption in West Australian children, Healthway (15165), $155,442.

8. Donovan, R., Ouschan, R., Phau, I., Sadler, P., Winter, M., Carter, O., Howat, P., Roberts, C., Ewing, M., West, D., Iyer, E., Keng, K. (2005) Innovation in policy and social marketing advertising, CBS AoRE, $225,000.

9. Donovan, R., Roberts, C. & Ewing, M. (2005) The weighty issue of childhood obesity: an investigation of the role of television junk food advertising, Australian Research Council (DP0559419), $122,520 [Associate Investigator].

10. Weller, N., & Donovan, K. (2005) Impact of smoking images in the media on youth smoking attitudes and intentions, Healthway (14111), $21,949 [Associate Investigator].

11. Donovan, R. & Carter, O. (2004) Investigating the salience of the UV Index in Western Australia, The Cancer Council Western Australia (45), $42,668.

Conference Presentations

1. Carter, O., Donovan, R., Jalleh, G., Borland, R., Daube, M. & Siahpush, M. (2009) Quantification of the reasons why Western Australian smokers quit, WA Cancer Research Symposium, Fremantle, 3 December 2009. [PowerPoint 3.4MB]
2. Carter, O., Donovan, R., Jalleh, G., Borland, R., Daube, M. & Siahpush, M. (2009) Smoking Cessation Pharmaceuticals: effectiveness in real-life settings, Oceania Tobacco Control Conference, Darwin, 9 October 2009. [PowerPoint 6.8MB]
3. Carter, O. (2009) The Internet: the new battleground for Tobacco Control, Australian Health Promotion Association conference, Perth, 19-5-2009. [PowerPoint 10.8MB]
4. Carter, O., Donovan, R., Ledger, D. & Mitchell, H. (2009) Tackling the diabetes epidemic: development, dissemination and evaluation of the Western Australian 'Don't Ignore Diabetes' campaign, Australian Health Promotion Association conference, Perth, 19-5-2009. [PowerPoint 10.8MB]
5. Carter, O., Mills, B. & Donovan, R. (2009) Point-of-sale tobacco displays: effect on Western Australian purchasing behaviours, Australian Health Promotion Association conference, Perth, 18-5-2009. [PowerPoint 19.6MB]
6. Carter, O. (2008) The relationship between modern media and physical activity in Western Australian children, Premier's Physical Activity Taskforce Forum, Perth, 29 October 2008. [PowerPoint 10.8MB]
7. Carter, O. (2008) Personal liberty versus government responsibility: exploring the limits of publically acceptable tobacco control regulation, 2008 State Cancer Conference: Challenging cancer – past, present and future, Perth, 23 October 2008. [PowerPoint 7.8MB]
8. Carter, O., Donovan, R., Jalleh, G., Borland, R., Daube, M. & Siahpush, M. (2008) Smoking Cessation Pharmaceuticals: effectiveness in real-life settings, Behavioural Research in Cancer Control Conference, Melbourne, 10 April 2008. [PowerPoint 6.3MB]
9. Carter, O. & Donovan, R. (2008) That's disgusting! Evaluation of a youth oriented tobacco control advertisement distributed via chain email (deemed too vulgar for television; but the kids loved it!), Social Marketing and the Internet: Symposium, Perth, 1 April 2008.
10. Carter, O., Pilkington, S., Cameron, A. & Thompson, S. (2008) Tobacco control practices of Aboriginal health professionals in Western Australia, 'Staying Alive': 2008 WA Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Forum, Perth, 5 March 2008. [PowerPoint 987KB]
11. Carter, O. (2007) Public Health in the 21st Century: Visions from Future Leaders, Public Health Association Australia (WA Branch) Conference, Perth, 2 November 2007. [PowerPoint 2.8MB]
12. Carter, O., Moyez, J. & Chang, P. (2007) Old and haggard: personalising aged 'smoker's face' simulation to affect youths' future intensions to smoke, Oceania Tobacco Control Conference, Auckland, 5 September 2007. [PowerPoint 6.1MB]
13. Carter, O. & Donovan, R. (2007) That's disgusting! Evaluation of a youth oriented tobacco control advertisement distributed via chain email (deemed too vulgar for television; but the kids loved it!), Oceania Tobacco Control Conference, Auckland, 5 September 2007. [PowerPoint 8.8MB]
14. Carter, O. (2007) Advertising Restrictions and Children: Lessons from the Tobacco Industry, The Psychology and Ethics of New Marketing, The University of Melbourne, 6 August 2007. [PowerPoint 19.0MB]
15. Carter, O. (2006) Australian Tobacco Control Campaigns 1997-2005: An audit of unpublished research and campaign evaluations, Behavioural Research in Cancer Control Conference, Brisbane, 29 September 2006. [PowerPoint 4.6MB]
16. Carter, O., Weller, N. & Donovan, R. (2006) Impact of Smoking Images in Magazines on Youth Smoking Attitudes and Intentions, Behavioural Research in Cancer Control Conference, Brisbane, 28 September 2006. [PowerPoint 8.8MB]
17. Carter, O. (2005) Looking Back, Moving Forward: We're Not Done With Smoking Yet, Third Australian Tobacco Control Conference, Sydney, 23 November 2005. [PowerPoint 3.1MB]

18. Carter, O. (2005) An Assessment of Western Australians' knowledge of the UV Index, Cancer Knowledge - Cancer Practice: Fifth State Cancer Conference, Perth, 18 October 2005. [PowerPoint 6.4MB]

19. Carter, O. (2004) Investigating better presentation formats for the UV Index, Cancer Research Symposium, Perth, 24 September 2004. [PowerPoint 7.8MB]

20. Carter, O. (2004) Facilitating greater health behaviours in employees: Healthy Business Project focus group results, Cancer Research Symposium, Perth, 24 September 2004. [PowerPoint 3.0MB]

21. Carter, O. (2003) The Reaction of Bunbury Patrons to a Total Smoking Ban in Public Bars and Nightclubs, Cancer - Today's Realities and Tomorrow's Dreams: Fourth WA State Cancer Conference, Perth, 25 November 2003. [PowerPoint 1.3MB]

22. Carter, O. (2003) SunSmart Ad-testing for 18 to 24 year olds, Cancer - Today's Realities and Tomorrow's Dreams: Fourth WA State Cancer Conference, Perth, 25 November 2003. [PowerPoint 1.0MB]

23. Carter, O. (2001) The Getting Patients Treated Program, National Divisions of General Practice Forum 2001, Sydney, 24 November 2001.

Media Interviews

1. Pratap Pap, "The Psychology of Tobacco Control", Brains Matter, October 30, 2009 [MP3 14.3MB]
2. Martin Johnston, "Another drag on a fag and you'll end up looking a hag", The New Zealand Herald, Thursday September 6, 2007, p.3. [JPG 1.24MB] [NZH link]
3. Sumi-Assumpter Akumu, Radio Fremantle Interview, April 30, 2007, "Tips to Avoid Childhood Obesity". [MP3 5.0MB]
4. Marnie McKimmie, "Battle lines drawn in weight war", The West Australian, Health+Medicine Supplement, Wednesday March 7, 2007, p.4. [PDF 69KB]
5. Marnie McKimmie, "Cash diet, high fat", The West Australian, Health+Medicine Supplement, Wednesday February 28, 2007, p.3. [JPG 629KB]
6. Marnie McKimmie, "What will you do with that extra hour?", The West Australian, Health+Medicine Supplement, Wednesday December 6, 2006, p.4. [JPG 1.7MB]
7. Andrew Chubb, "Social stigma for a smoker's choice", The Western Independent, September 2006, pp. 15-16. [PDF 255KB]
8. Duncan Fine, "Is it true? Does TV really make kids obese?", The Sunday Times Body+Soul supplement, Sunday September 24, 2006, p.12. [JPG 177KB]
9. Steve Dow, "The Big Obesity Debate", Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday August 31, 2006, p.7. [PDF 230KB] [SMH link]
10. Roy Eccleston, "Generation XXL", The Weekend Australian Magazine, Saturday June 10, 2006, pp. 16-19. [MDI 3.6MB]
11. Peter Godfrey, Radio Adelaide Interview, 5 April 2006, "Weak link between childhood obesity and television food advertising".
12. Marty MacKenzie Murray, RTR FM Radio Interview, 4 April 2006, "Weak link between childhood obesity and television food advertising".
13. Rick Wall, Nova FM Melbourne Radio Interview, 4 April 2006, "Weak link between childhood obesity and television food advertising".
14. Bernadette Young, ABC Perth Radio Interview, 4 April 2006, "Weak link between childhood obesity and television food advertising".
15. Michael Turtle, Triple J Radio Interview, 3 April 2006, "Weak link between childhood obesity and television food advertising".
16. Jamie Freestone, 6PR Radio Interview, 3 April 2006, "Weak link between childhood obesity and television food advertising".
17. Pieta O'Shaughnessy, 100.1 FM Radio Interview, 13 February 2006, "Junk food advertising and childhood obesity". [WMA 5.7MB]
18. Marnie McKimmie, "Caught on the company line: tricks of the food industry", The West Australian, Health+Medicine Supplement, Wednesday February 1, 2006, pp.4-5. [MDI 509KB]
19. Peta Rule, "Children swallow health line on fast food", The West Australian, Saturday December 3, 2005, p.13. [JPG 153KB]
20. Marnie McKimmie, "Doubt on use of quit aid", The West Australian, Wednesday September 21, 2005, p.20. [JPG 176KB]

21. Greg Pearce, ABC Radio Bunbury Interview, 5 May 2005, "Are kids today watching more television than they were 40 years ago?" [WMA 8.2MB]

22. Harvey Deagan, 6PR Radio Interview, 2 May 2005,"The contribution of television and computer games to childhood obesity".

23. Peta Rule, "Today's kids not TV-mad after all", The West Australian, Monday May 2, 2005, p.11. [JPG 1.8MB]

24. Peta Rasdien, "Old myths disappear as knowledge of cancer grows", The West Australian, Wednesday July 7, 2004, p.44. [JPG 176KB]

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