Newspaper coverage of tobacco control in New Zealand. (June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGee, Rob; Bang, Sophie; Marsh, Louise
• Is Part Of: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health. Volume 38:Number 3(2014)
• Page Start: 265
• Page End: 269
• Publication Date: 2014-06
• Subjects: Public health -- Australia -- Periodicals; Public health -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Australia -- Periodicals; Medical care -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; 362.10993
• DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12216
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1326-0200

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Objective</bold>: The New Zealand (NZ) government has proposed that the country be 'Smokefree' by 2025. This paper examines how NZ newspapers have portrayed tobacco control initiatives to achieve this goal.</p> <p> <bold>Method</bold>: We examined tobacco‐related articles from NZ newspapers published between 1 November 2011 and 31 October 2012, using a coding frame to capture smoking themes, portrayal of actions and degree of support expressed for various pro‐ and anti‐ tobacco control objectives.</p> <p> <bold>Results</bold>: A total of 537 separate articles were obtained from national and regional newspapers. Six themes appeared in more than 5% of the total articles: Smokefree 2025; smokefree areas; pricing; tobacco industry; plain packaging; and cessation. Overall, articles on tobacco smoking were three times more likely to emphasise actions consonant with tobacco control objectives rather than against them, and to report them with a positive rather than negative tone.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions</bold>: NZ tobacco control advocates can take heart from the nature and extent of coverage of tobacco control initiatives. Opportunities for further media advocacy are discussed.</p> </abstract>