http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/apr/29/uk-film-smoking-product-placement

Doctors issue health warning over smoking in British film blockbusters

Denis Campbell The Guardian, Thursday 29 April 2010

Doctors say that recent British films are more likely than Hollywood films to display specific cigarettes brands. They claim a stricter classification system so that films which include certain types of tobacco’s and cigarettes, depending of the amount, have a higher age rate. Researchers from Nottingham University say this is necessary because the attendance of smoking in films is likely to influence young viewers. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) however are rating two thirds of the films in which regular smoking is shown suitable for teenagers under the age of 18. It is peculiar that this is permitted in a country where not only smoking is prohibited under of the age of 18 but also where tobacco advertising is against the law. A BBFC spokeswoman says in her defense that they have asked the public if they should change this and the answer was very clear ‘’no’’. As the public does not want this to convert they are carrying on their current policy. Fortunately, partly because of the 2007 ban ‘ no smoking in public places ‘ films containing smoking are mainly set in the past.

Reaction

In this article I agree with the doctors. Children often see their favorite TV personages as hero’s. They can easily be influenced by seeing their hero’s smoking. It might encourage them to smoke as well. I think it is strange that this is no problem in a country where smoking under the age of 18 is prohibited. It should not have to matter if the public wants it or not. The government sets an age limit and I think you have to respect that and set an example. I think it is a matter of public health in which we all share responsibility. We should make young teenagers aware of the dangers of smoking and we should not promote this behavior in films.