RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Newspaper coverage of tobacco issues: an analysis of print news in Chinese cities, 2008–2011
JF Tobacco Control
JO Tob Control
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 345
OP 352
DO 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2012-050545
VO 23
IS 4
A1 He, Siwei
A1 Shen, Qin
A1 Yin, Xiaoli
A1 Xu, Lianjie
A1 Lan, Xiaoyun
YR 2014
UL http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/23/4/345.abstract
AB Objective The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent Chinese media coverage of tobacco issues in 17 Chinese cities comprises messaging known to motivate healthy behaviour. Methods This study involved a content analysis of 4821 articles that contained at least one full paragraph focused on tobacco issues from newspapers published in cities that participated in the Tobacco-Free City—Gates Tobacco Control Project in China between 1 January 2008 and 30 June 2011. Results The number of tobacco-focused articles increased over the study period. The number of articles varied considerably among different newspapers and cities. Education, prevention and cessation programs (35%) were the most frequent theme. There was also considerable variation in the volume of coverage each month. News articles were the most frequent article type (70%). The majority of the articles (72%) were positive for tobacco control. There were significant differences between party newspapers and local newspapers in prominence, article type, slant and fear appeal. One quarter (n=729) of the articles mentioned the severity of tobacco use, while only 10% of the articles referred to susceptibility to the threat. Conclusions The coverage of events was predominantly positive toward tobacco control. However, media reports could better support tobacco control efforts if they did a better job at provoking an emotional response to the harms of tobacco use and promoting a sense among smokers that they can succeed in quitting smoking.