A Content Analysis of Media Coverage of the Introduction of a Smoke-Free Bylaw in Vancouver Parks and Beaches

Arezu Moshrefzadeh, Wendy Rice, Ann Pederson and Chizimuzo T. C. Okoli
Additional contact information
Arezu Moshrefzadeh: British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, E311, 4500 Oak Street, Box 48, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
Wendy Rice: British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, E311, 4500 Oak Street, Box 48, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
Ann Pederson: British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health, E311, 4500 Oak Street, Box 48, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3N1, Canada
Chizimuzo T. C. Okoli: College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, 315 College of Nursing Building, Lexington, KY 40536, USA

IJERPH, 2013, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-10

Abstract: The Board of Parks and Recreation in Vancouver, BC approved a smoke-free bylaw in the city’s parks, beaches and recreational facilities, effective 1 September 2010. We analyzed local news coverage and portrayal of the bylaw to understand the potential influence of news media on public perception of the bylaw in order to inform the media advocacy work of public health interest groups. We compiled a data set of newspaper articles (n = 90) and conducted a quantitative content analysis to examine content related to the outdoor smoke-free policy, including article slant, topics related to smoking and tobacco control, and any equity-related concerns raised. Newspaper coverage in Vancouver was largely supportive of the outdoor smoke-free bylaw. However, concerns over rights were frequently discussed in letters to the editor. Such equity concerns were rarely discussed in news articles, showing a potential disconnect between the concerns expressed in the media by members of the public and the coverage provided by print media.

Keywords: smoke-free policy; equity; content analysis; media (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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