BACKGROUND: The media plays an important role in influencing policy reforms and public attitudes. There was extensive media coverage in Australia advocating for the need to protect children in cars with smoking occupants, with subsequent legislation banning smoking in cars carrying children. Secondhand smoke-drift issues in residential contexts have also received media attention, given the contentious nature of regulating smoking in private spaces. No known studies have analysed the media discourse on smoke-drift in homes. Therefore, we examined temporal trends and framing of the issue in the media, including what interest groups are involved in putting forth specific messages.
METHODS: We systematically searched Factiva and Google News for relevant mainstream Australian news sources published between 2015 and 2024. Sources that discussed the problem of smoking or smoke-drift in homes, or potential solutions were included. Content analysis was used to code key characteristics. Thematic analysis was used to analyse news frames and interest groups involved. News frames were defined as arguments made for or against regulating smoking, or proposed solutions. Interest groups were defined as individual or organisational actors mentioned or quoted within each article.
RESULTS: Preliminary findings showed that 243 relevant articles were published between 2015 and 2024. The number of articles published each year ranged from 9 to 71, with the lowest volume in 2020 and highest in 2017. News frames commonly centred around individual rights, such as the right to smoke in your home, and neighbours’ right to clean air. Preliminary findings also showed considerable advocacy efforts by the public and non-government organisations to increase support for home smoking regulations.
CONCLUSIONS: The media framing of smoking in the home and secondhand smoke-drift issues provides insights on public and political support for smoke-free regulations in residential settings. Future research is needed to understand the impact of different framings on support for smoke-free policies.