American Journal of Public Health, Vol 91, Issue 2 288-291, Copyright © 2001 by American Public Health Association

JOURNAL ARTICLE

The cigar revival and the popular press: a content analysis, 1987-1997

L Wenger, R Malone and L Bero
Institute for Health Policy Studies, School of Medicine, Box 0936, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. lynndee@itsa.ucsf.edu

OBJECTIVES: 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.

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