Smoking
Media Influences
Smoking in the movies influences the progression of adolescents in becoming established smokers.
Studies have shown that exposure to smoking in movies increases the likelihood that adolescents will try smoking. In a long-term follow-up study we found that movie smoking may be even more influential - adolescents who watched high amounts of movie smoking during adolescence were twice as likely to become established smokers as young adults compared to those who had low exposure to movie smoking.
Smoking in movies is often associated with the characteristics that adolescents find appealing, such as toughness, sexiness and rebelliousness. A review of 250 top box office hits from the years 1988 – 1997, showed that 89% of these movies contain episodes of smoking and tobacco use. Through our research we have found:
Seeing smoking in movies can almost triple the chances that an adolescent will try smoking.
In a study of New England adolescents, those who saw the most amount of smoking in movies were 2.7 times more likely to try smoking compared to those who saw the least amount of smoking.
Adolescents who watch R-rated movies are more likely to initiate smoking and drinking.
Our research shows that R-rated movies contain more smoking and drinking than movies in other rating categories. R- and PG-13-rated movies are more likely to influence adolescents to smoke or drink compared to PG- and G-rated movies.
Tobacco Brands Still Common in PG-13 Movies.
Despite the 1988 Master Settlement Agreement that prohibits tobacco companies from paying for tobacco brand appearances in movies, 1 out of 8 PG-13 rated movies continues to feature tobacco brands.
