Media is identified as a powerful force in shaping both public and legislative agendas. Understanding how media covers tobacco control issues will help tobacco control advocates to effectively use media to further their social and political agendas and to counter the tobacco industry’s public relations efforts. We use a case study approach to examine coverage of debates leading to, and responses to passages of, statewide clean indoor air and youth access laws. We selected three states to investigate the coverage of passage of clean indoor air laws and three states to investigate the coverage of youth access laws. States were selected to represent a spectrum of possible political and social factors that may influence media coverage, such as participation in national tobacco control initiatives, and economic dependence on tobacco. Coverage was examined in terms of media agenda setting variables such as frequency of articles, prominence and slant. Patterns of coverage were analyzed controlling for relevant state conditions, allowing us to test hypotheses across states. By the end of this session, participants will be aware of media coverage of tobacco-control laws and gain insight into analytical activities of examining media coverage of tobacco related topics.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be aware of media coverage of tobacco-control laws and gain insight into analytical activities of examining media coverage of tobacco related topics.
Keywords: Tobacco Control, Media
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.