Depictions of tobacco use in top-grossing Hollywood films increased by 72 percent between 2010 and 2016, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Protection. Among R-rated movies, depictions of smoking increased by 90 percent; in PG-13 films, a 43 percent increase was recorded.
The report’s authors recommended that the Motion Picture Association of America give an R rating to any movie that depicts smoking, pointing to research that suggests depictions of smoking in film can lead to youth smoking.
“There is an enormous need to implement an industry-wide standard by requiring that all movies rated for kids are smoke-free,” said Dr. Stanton Glantz, one of the report’s authors, in a press release.
Despite the increase of tobacco use in film however, cigarette smoking among teenagers is reported to be dropping, thanks in part to renewed public health efforts.
