How Media Stories in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) Discussed the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) Order for IQOS.

News articles from LMICs frequently misrepresented the IQOS MRTP order by using reduced risk language (reduces harm compared to cigarettes) rather than only using reduced exposure language (reduces exposure to harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes). Many articles referred to IQOS as a "better alternative" to cigarettes without specifically referencing reduced risk. Few articles included perspectives from public health or medical professionals, while most included tobacco industry quotes, suggesting that tobacco control experts need to more frequently engage with the news media. These findings also highlight how the US FDA's actions can potentially shape perspectives on tobacco product regulations in LMICs.