Smoking in the Movies

Rated "TL" for Totally Lame

Big Tobacco and Hollywood have quite a history. For decades, tobacco companies paid movie studios, actors, directors and producers to show smoking on-screen — and they hid it from the public.

Here’s just some of what Big Tobacco knew and was planning back in the 80s:

• “Our primary objective (is) to have smoking featured in a prominent way…with celebrities.” – from a letter written to the president of RJR (makes Camels)
• “Film placement of RJR brands will create favorable imagery…as advertising restrictions increase.” – agreement between RJR (maker of Camels) and its public relations firm
• “Most of the strong positive images for cigarettes…are created by cinema…” – Philip Morris marketing plan
• Movies are “better than any commercial…because the audience is totally unaware of any sponsor involvement.” – Productions, Inc.

And here’s what’s happening now:

• Tobacco shows up in nearly 4 out of 5 movies. And not just movies rated “R.” Tobacco usage can be seen in all movies, including films rated “G” – which, as you know, are aimed directly at little kids.
• Smoking in movies is the most powerful pro-tobacco influence on kids today, accounting for half of the young people who start smoking.
• In 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and again in 2008, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named tobacco in the movies a major factor in teen smoking.
• Every day over 1,000 teens try their first cigarette because of seeing smoking in the movies. It's true! Click here to see the research.

For more facts and research on smoking in the movies go to Smoke Free Movies.