Editorial: Smoking Behind the Scenes by Eric

Many people know that tobacco is bad for them but people still continue to smoke. G through NC-17 rated movies have people smoking or some type of tobacco influencing/encouraging people to smoke, especially towards younger audience. Some people may argue that the companies are not promoting smoking through movies. However, I think tobacco companies have already influenced children.

In most movies, there are people smoking whether they are playing the good guy or the bad guy, or even the protagonist. In 2010, top-grossing movies rated G - Rated R had more than 30% of tobacco scenes. More than 3,200 persons younger than 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette everyday. These facts indicate that tobacco is starting to influence children to start smoking.

In the Surgeon General Report of 2012, very few people start smoking after age 25. Almost 9 out of 10 adult smokers started by age 18, and 99% started by age 26. Advertising in movies are influencing more people than advertisement, about 44% for boys and girls. I think they should regulate movies introducing tobacco. A rule to keep children from seeing any type of tobacco use. In T.V. programs for young viewers, a no smoking advertisement should be shown to show children that tobacco is toxic and  that tobacco use is bad in all sorts of ways.

Smoking can be viewed as cool or a rebel towards children because of the movies they've watched or seen around them. If movies stop introducing tobacco aimed at the youth then it can reduce the people being introduced by 18% according to the Surgeon General Report in 2014.

People may argue that movies showing any use of tobacco does not influence children, but tobacco companies have been known for marketing aimed at youth. As a kid, I remember having gum that looked like a cigarette. I acted like I was cool and showing off to my friends at school and got my friends into it. Luckily, my school had a “tobacco-free” bracelet and reminded me that tobacco use is harmful for me and for other people.

Tobacco companies have been advertising their products towards children through movies, and it’s working because people care about their looks in today’s society. They want to look cool and unique. Many people can disagree, but I've experienced it first hand in elementary school. Movie companies should not be able to introduce a tobacco brand because people will think that the specific type of brand taste better because it is shown on the screen. Before the movie starts, there should be a brief description showing that there is tobacco use in the movie. Looking back, do you think you or someone else was affected by it?