The Big Ban Theory: Efforts To Get Cigarettes Off the Big Screen

Hollywood has always had some of the most smokin’ men and women on the big screen, quite literally so, but now it seems as if smoking stars are becoming a real societal drag and that using characters in film who indulge in this dangerous habit may soon go up in smoke.

In fact, the nations cigarette manufacturing giant is urging Hollywood to stop using or showing its products on the big screen, suggesting that it only encourages children and adolescents to smoke.

Mogul, Philip Morris notes that it plans on taking out ads in several industry publication imploring decision makers to not put its cigarette brands in their films.

The ad campaign put into effect just before Thanksgiving will last for several months according to Philip Morris officials. And, it’s a measure they note was conceived after meeting in film industry representatives.

Still, representatives from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids suggest that the industry has failed to be swayed during similar efforts in the past.

They add that the cigarette giant has frequently refused requests that would make using their brands contingent upon permission and approval, even in movies aimed at adult audiences.

And heads of the Center for tobacco Control Research and Education at the university of California at San Francisco noted the campaign as nothing more than a media ploy. They go on to suggest that rather than the cigarette company taking legal action against industry professionals who show their products, they are merely protecting themselves and their reputation by taking this suggestive stance.

Medial experts and professionals add that the problem extends beyond showing specific brands. Even if actual products are not shown, smoking scenes will continue to glamorize the habit and the company will still make money because they are the top manufacturer of most cigarettes, especially those that are purchased by adolescents and young adults.

Furthermore, studies shoe that youngsters exposed on on-screen smoking are more likely to take up the habit, a fact that Philip Morris notes in its ads.

Still, some film industry representatives note that the measure could be damaging to the industry’s creativity and freedom of speech in storytelling.

On the other hand, antismoking activists suggest a movie rating system requiring an “R” rating for movies featuring use of tobacco, which they maintain is more damaging to youngsters than the inclusion of sex, violence and foul language.