The cigar revival and the popular press: a content analysis, 1987-1997.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine print media coverage of cigars during the period 1987 to 1997.


METHODS
A content analysis of 790 cigar-focused newspaper and magazine articles was conducted.


RESULTS
Cigar-focused articles increased substantially over the study period, paralleling increased cigar consumption. Articles focused on cigar business (39%) and events (19%). Only 4% of articles focused on health effects. Sixty-two percent portrayed cigars favorably. The tobacco industry was mentioned in 54% of articles and portrayed positively in 78%. Forty-two percent of the individuals quoted or described in articles were affiliated with the tobacco industry; only 5% were government/public health figures.


CONCLUSIONS
Print coverage of cigars failed to communicate health risk messages and contributed to positive images of cigars.
Wenger
L
L
Institute for Health Policy Studies, School of Medicine, Box 0936, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. lynndee@itsa.ucsf.edu
Malone
R
R
Bero
L
L
D006801:Humans; D000329:Advertising / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D001294:Attitude to Health; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D008402:Mass Media / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D009524:Newspapers as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States