Print media coverage of research on passive smoking
Open Access
- 1 September 1999
- journal article
- editorial
- Published by BMJ in Tobacco Control
- Vol. 8 (3), 254-260
- https://doi.org/10.1136/tc.8.3.254
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the extent and content of newspaper and magazine coverage of research on passive smoking. DESIGN Content analysis of newspaper and magazine articles. SUBJECTS Articles reporting on passive smoking research published in newspapers (n = 180) or magazines (n = 92) between January 1981 and December 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Numbers of articles, conclusions of articles, sources quoted, numbers and characteristics of research studies cited, presence of tobacco advertising. RESULTS The number of newspaper and magazine articles reporting on passive smoking research increased from four in 1981 to 57 in 1992 and 32 in 1994. Sixty-two per cent (168/272) of articles concluded that the research on passive smoking is controversial. Tobacco industry representatives were quoted significantly more often in newspaper articles (52%, 94/180) than magazine articles (12%, 11/92) (pCONCLUSIONS Although research on the harmful effects of passive smoking accumulated between 1981 and 1994, lay press coverage of the research maintained that the science was controversial. Few research studies were cited to support the industry's claim that passive smoking is not harmful to health. However, tobacco industry representatives who were critical of the research methods used to study the health effects of passive smoking were frequently quoted.Keywords
This publication has 30 references indexed in Scilit:
- Editorial: Health Communication EthicsJournal of Health Communication, 1998
- Industry-Funded Research and Conflict of Interest: An Analysis of Research Sponsored by the Tobacco Industry Through the Center for Indoor Air ResearchJournal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 1996
- Passive smoking as a cause of heart diseaseJournal of the American College of Cardiology, 1994
- THE EFFECTS OF ALTERNATIVE SMOKING POLICIES ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN 27 OFFICE BUILDINGSAnnals of Occupational Hygiene, 1994
- Effects of sidestream smoke exposure and age on pulmonary function and airway reactivity in developing ratsPediatric Pulmonology, 1993
- Cigarette advertising policy and coverage of smoking and health in British women's magazinesThe Lancet, 1991
- Cigarette Advertising and Media Coverage of Smoking and HealthNew England Journal of Medicine, 1985
- Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Urinary Cotinine Excretion in NonsmokersNew England Journal of Medicine, 1984
- Non-smoking wives of heavy smokers have a higher risk of lung cancer: a study from Japan.BMJ, 1981
- Smoking and Carcinoma of the LungBMJ, 1950