https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2483-4598
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ABSTRACT
This study explores the growing news coverage of e-cigarettes regarding, (a) how the arguments regarding e-cigarettes are presented in the print news media in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and Korea; (b) which arguments were under-represented; and (c) to what extent scientific research shapes the arguments. Results suggest that the most salient argument in the US and UK was that e-cigarettes are less harmful (or “safer”) than regular cigarettes. Although both US and UK news recognized e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool, US news framed e-cigarettes from a negative viewpoint. In Korean news, the dominant argument concerned e-cigarette ingredients. The public health frame competed against economic frames in Korean media coverage. With the exception of epidemiological data, scientific studies received very little media coverage in all three countries. Reports of scientific uncertainty were correlated with the level of controversy on e-cigarette issues, and limitations of scientific studies were described to highlight such controversy. Lastly, we discussed issues that were neglected in the news regarding e-cigarettes in all three countries.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. For instance, a journalist writes an interview with an artist and depicts the interviewee holding an “e-cigarette.” In this case, our search process detected the keyword “e-cigarette” and counts the article. However, the main topic of the article is not e-cigarettes, and thus the article was not included for consideration.
2. The databases include multiple drafts of the same articles as journalists edit online versions of the news articles.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jin-Ae Kang
Jin-Ae Kang is an associate professor of Communication at East Carolina University. Her research focuses on PR ethics and activism, social capital, health risk communication, and storytelling effectiveness.
Peter Schulz
Peter Schulz is the Director of the Institute of Communication and Health at the University of Lugano, Switzerland, and Professor of Communication Theories and Health Communication. He has brought together the humanities, social sciences, and information technology to investigate important issues in health communication.
Glenn T. Hubbard
Glenn T. Hubbard is an associate professor at East Carolina University. He has published research on the effects of production elements and locality of origination and ownership on listener responses to radio and audio media among others.
Jooyun Hwang
Jooyun Hwang is an assistant professor of Strategic Communication at Elon University. Her research areas include crisis communication, health communication, and intercultural communication.
Adrienne Muldrow
Adrienne Muldrow is an assistant professor at East Carolina University. Her research areas include how words and visuals affect the citizenry in areas including journalism, media (digital and social media) and health.
Brenna Barber
Brenna Barber (East Carolina University, MA) is training orthopedic extremities and reconstruction at Medical Sales College.
Catherine Lochner
Brenna Barber (East Carolina University, MA) is training orthopedic extremities and reconstruction at Medical Sales College.
Catherine Lochner (East Carolina University, BS) is an international trade paralegal at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.