A new report from UC San Francisco concludes on-screen smoking increases the likelihood that young people will pick up the habit. The report draws its conclusion from a review of more than 50 different studies. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.
The report reveals in 2002, smoking in the movies was as common it was in films made in 1950. Today, the report says almost eight out of ten PG 13 movies contain smoking scenes.
Dr. Stanton Glantz directs the UC San Francisco Center for Tobacco Control Research. He says movies rarely show the adverse effects of tobacco use.
Glantz: "Five percent of the portrayals of smoking in the movies reflect the dangers of smoking or the addiction of smoking. For the most part, the portrayal of smoking in the movies looks a lot more like cigarette advertising than reality."
Glantz argues to limit teen exposure, films that show people smoking should be rated R. The movie industry is opposed to the idea.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
