Post: Where There's Smoke...
There Are Kids in the Theatre
Where There's Smoke...
There Are Kids in the Theatre
Here's the good news: since the big tobacco lawsuits of the 1990s, portrayals of smoking in movies have generally declined.
But every silver lining has a touch of smoky-gray. According to a new study out of Dartmouth Medical School, use of tobacco has become more prevelant in youth-oriented films than in movies targeted at adults.
From CBS News:
"In 2004's top films, there were more tobacco occurrences in youth-oriented movies than in R-rated movies. Of nearly 700 tobacco occurrences in 2004's top box office hits, about 400 were seen in youth-oriented movies, the study shows...
"On-screen smoking may make smoking seem normal or glamorous, especially if it's done by stars that young people admire, the researchers note. They add that the movie industry is shifting away from R ratings and towards ratings for a younger audience."
Read the full story here.
There are 3 replies to this post
Date: July 18, 2006
That's even worse! Are we really trying to protect adults from images that say smoking is cool? We're trying to protect our kids - and now it's increased? I don't understand how the good news can even really be seen as good news - and what's this "silver lining" we're talking about?
Date: July 18, 2006
It really does seem glam to smoke - Carrie Bradshow smoked up a storm - it's portrayed as something you do if you're better than everyone else. forget the rules, lean on some brick wall, and smoke yourself silly.
Date: July 19, 2006
It really bothers me that the media so ignores its influence on children. I would hope that they would look beyond "artistic expression" and see the big picture - that they might be leading kids to harm. But in lieu of that, I suppose it is the parents who must watch out for their kids - after all, nothing in this world is completely child-proof; if it were, what would the parents do?