Ratings standards for American films have stirred no small amount of controversy. There has been a lot of troubles between directors, studios and also the MPAA ratings board which was shown in the 2006 documentary, This Movie is Not Yet Rated, and Times Magazine explains Hollywood has an additional things to report. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that smoking in films should mandate that an “R” rating be given to the film as a protection for kids and young teens.
Tobacco industry not allowed to pay for smoking product placement
The CDC study indicates that ever since 1998, tobacco companies aren’t allowed to place product in movies. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of smoking in movies today. The CDC made reports on the kids who see a lot of smoking versus those who see little. Thos who see a lot are much more likely to try smoking in their lifetime. Public health officials all seem to express the exact same concern. Health problems are some of these concerns. A significant number of G, PG and PG-13-rated films contain smoking, which has prompted the rating reclassification suggestion.
Quit young smoking habits other ways
In addition to the R rating suggestion, other ideas given by the CDC are to air anti-smoking ads onscreen before the start of a film and to specify in film credits that no person or business associated with the movie received financial compensation from the tobacco industry or any associated company. The World Health Organization has already made these suggestions the CDC appears to be saying no this time around about R rated movies. WHO thinks that it is irresponsible to market towards children by filming smoking scenes.
Smoking is an costly habit
Now it appears smoking will always be expensive. It always costs more than it did last time. Anti-smoking is encouraged by MSN Money. MSN Money explains this. A 40-year-old smoker who kicks the habit and funnels the money spent on cigarettes and also the associated dry cleaning and higher health insurance rates into something more productive like a 401 (k) could conceivably conserve more than $ 250,000 by age 70. Those who would rather have nasty lungs that can’t breathe retiring nicely are in for a surprise. Installment loans or paycheck loans can be needed by all of these people. Buying into the expense of smoking is an R rated horror film if ever there was one.
Additional reading
Center for Disease Control
cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5932a2.htm
MSN Money
articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHealth/HighCostOfSmoking.aspx
Time Magazine
wellness.blogs.time.com/2010/08/19/rated-r-for-smoking/
World Health Organization
who.int/tobacco/smoke_free_movies/en/
Fox News report on removing cigarettes from movies
youtube.com/watch?v=FSxwPVUv7vY
