title: Newspaper coverage of implementation of the Michigan smoke-free law: lessons learned.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether newspaper coverage of the Michigan smoke-free law was favorable or hostile, contained positive messages that had been disseminated by public health groups, contained negative messages, and differed across regions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles about the smoke-free law in print or online editions of Michigan newspapers the month immediately before and after the law took effect were identified and were coded for tone, positive messages contained in media outreach materials, and negative messages commonly disseminated by smoke-free law opponents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 303 print and online articles were identified; the majority were coded as "both positive and negative" (34%) or "mainly positive" in tone (32%). Of 303 articles, 75% contained at least one pro-law message and 56% contained at least one anti-law message. The most common pro-law messages were information about enforcement of the law (52%) and the benefits of smoke-free air (48%); the most common anti-law messages were about potential negative economic impact (36%), government intrusion/overreach (31%), and difficulties with enforcement (28%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public health departments and partners play an important role in implementation of smoke-free laws by providing the public, businesses, and other stakeholders with clear and accurate rationale, provisions, and impacts of these policies.
authors: 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors: Nicole M
authors: NM
authors: Kuiper
authors: Kate E
authors: KE
authors: Frantz
authors: Molly
authors: M
authors: Cotant
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Babb
authors: Jerelyn
authors: J
authors: Jordan
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Phelan
mesh_terms: D004467:Economics; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D035846:Law Enforcement; D008824:Michigan; D009524:Newspapers as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
keywords: Michigan; clean indoor-air ordinances; media analysis; media evaluation; policy implementation; secondhand smoke exposure; smoke-free law; technical assistance; tobacco control; tobacco control programs