A content analysis of unique selling propositions of tobacco print ads Journal Article

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Authors: Shen, M. J.; Banerjee, S. C.; Greene, K.; Carpenter, A.; Ostroff, J. S.
Article Title: A content analysis of unique selling propositions of tobacco print ads
Abstract: Objectives: We describe the unique selling propositions (USPs) (propositions used to convince customers to use a particular brand/product by focusing on the unique benefit) of print tobacco ads. Methods: A qualitative content analysis was conducted of print tobacco ads (N = 171) selected from August 2012 to August 2013 for cigarettes, moist snuff, e-cigarettes, cigars, and snus to determine the content and themes of USPs for tobacco ads. Results: Cigarette ad USP themes focused on portraying the product as attractive; moist snuff ads focused on portraying product as masculine; cigar ads focused on selling a high end product; and new and emerging tobacco products (e-cigarette, snus) focused on directly comparing these products to cigarettes. Conclusions: Whereas traditional tobacco product ads used USPs focused on themes of enjoyment and pleasure (eg, attractive for cigarettes, high end product for cigars), new and emerging tobacco product ads offered the unique benefit (USP) of their product being a better and safer alternative to traditional tobacco products. Snuff's USPs focused nearly exclusively on the masculinity of their products. Our results provide targets for potential tobacco regulatory actions that could be implemented to reduce demand for tobacco products by reducing their perceived unique benefits.
Keywords: content analysis; cigarettes; non-cigarette consumer products; tobacco ads; unique selling propositions
Journal Title: American Journal of Health Behavior
Volume: 41
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1945-7359
Publisher: PNG Publications  
Date Published: 2017-03-01
Start Page: 194
End Page: 203
Language: English
DOI: 10.5993/ajhb.41.2.11
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 28452697
PMCID: PMC5556370
DOI/URL:

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85015282936&doi=10.5993%2fAJHB.41.2.11&partnerID=40&md5=148569124bddc569e9580e8554707741
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 3 April 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Jamie S Ostroff
    256 Ostroff
  2. Smita Banerjee
    85 Banerjee
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