The Canadian Cancer Society has added a new approach to preventing young people from taking up smoking. It’s asking movies showing on-screen smoking be rated for 18 years and older “to ensure all future youth-rated movies are smoke-free”.
On its website the Society points out that “On-screen smoking in movies is one of the last places tobacco use can be advertised to youth.” At the same time it underlines that “Tobacco use is responsible for 30 per cent of all cancers and 85 per cent of lung cancers.”
“Advertising works based on repetition. The more you are positively exposed to a brand or an idea the more likely you are to use that brand or take action on the idea. Youth are more susceptible to advertising than adults.”
It’s asking for Canadians to get in touch with politicians to change movie ratings.
More information:
Smoke-free movies campaign – here
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.