What do you think about kids seeing smoking in movies? Do movies make smoking look cool? Imagine seeing an actor, actress or character that your kids look up to in their favourite movie. – Do your kids want to be like them? Do your kids imitate them? From the way they dress to things they say to things they do…kids are always watching their idols. Especially, tweens and teens.. Let’s discuss what you think about smoking in movies and their influence on kids?
Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and Region of Peel and have received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.
When Kids See Smoking in Movies
- 86% of movies with smoking were rated for kids and teens in Ontario
- 185,000 children and teens in Ontario will start smoking because of their exposure to onscreen smoking. Of those exposed, 59,000 will die from tobacco related diseases
I didn’t know these figures before I started this post, but they certainly make me think now.
When my teens go to the movies, I worry about violence, offensive language and overtly sexual scenes. However, I had never considered tobacco exposure. Now that I think about it, tobacco placement is everywhere
Kid friendly movies are packed with tobacco imagery. From characters that look menacing holding cigars for full mob-effect in crime movies.to the beautiful girl who asks the hero, “do you have a light?” while holding a cigarette between her fingers. These are scenes that we see in movies over and over again. Tobacco is not only used as a prop in the films our kids watch but also as a tool which holds meaning and impact.
What does tobacco in movies mean to our kids? Would it make them think the character is cool, brave or smart? Would your child think they might look cool, brave or smart if they smoked too?
What can you do?
Sign the e-petition in support of a change to the the Ontario Film classification act (we know we can’t change Hollywood but maybe we can make a difference at home). This petition calls for all new movies that contain tobacco to be rated 18A.
Voice your opinion: Visit www.smokefreemovies.ca/petition to sign the e-petition and use #SmokeFreeMovies in your social media.
I have signed the petition and I hope you do too. Big tobacco is all around us, especially on our screens. Usually a giant is hard to topple but if you raise your voice, even giants might listen.
With all the trouble Tobacco causes,I don’t know why it anywhere.
I never really though anything about it because I was a smoker myself. I never smoke in my house after I had my children. I quit smoking a month ago and I was reading Allen Carr’s easy way to quit and he mention how much smocking there was in movies. I started paying attention and notice, there was quite a bit. How do I feel, children will be expose to so many bad influence all there life, we need to discus those bad influence with them.
I personally don’t think it is any different that seeing someone smoke in real life. It’s up to us as parents to educate our kids on the dangers of smoking.
This is something I can get behind 100%. There is no need to show smoking in movies. We already know it’s out there, and it really doesn’t further the story.
In modern movies, I don’t see the point in having smoking. I don’t think older movies should be edited though- a warning is fine with me. Our kids know smoking causes cancer and it’s awful for you.
I definitely wouldn’t want kids picking up the habit after seeing it in a film. The addiction can start young and the health problems will get worse and worse!
I never want to see anyone smoking in movies – I suppose sometimes in adult movies, it can add to a certain vibe but that’s the only place it should occur. It’s far too easy for kids to be easily influenced. I should know. My dad began smoking at age 10 – it apparently was commonplace at that age back then. He died of lung cancer.
I have never seen kids smoking in movies. This is so weird to me. I guess I do not pay attention.
What I don’t understand is they are banning smoking from everywhere, so why do they still grow tobacco, would only make since, but now instead of the smoking in movies your’re going to see pot smoking everywhere, so you can’t win
As kids can be impressionable, I think smoking in movies shouldn’t be shown. It really does nothing for the basis of the story.
I’m embarrassed to admit I hadn’t really thought about this before, but it’s so true! This sounds like an easy way to support a great cause!
I am a strong advocate about adults not smoking around kids so I can definitely get behind this cause. It’s like how they used to advertise smoking in all the magazines when our older generations were growing up, and how cool it looked. It’s just a bad message.
I have never really thought about the affect of seeing kids smoking in movies. But I can’t think of a movie where I have seen this done but it should not be happening. I don’t smoke and I definitely don’t want my kids to smoke.
I haven’t really thought about it yet. I know that growing up my parents smoked so I Saw it often and now I don’t see it really.
I haven’t thought about it too but I think being very picky with the movie I watch with my kids really helps.
I don’t think I ever saw it as being a cool thing. I usually thought people were trying too hard when I saw them smoking in movies. They made such a show of it.
Thankfully my son is already very aware of our stance on smoking and doesn’t like it when he sees it. He doesn’t need to see it in a movie either!
I feel very lucky because both of my kids find it to be really disgusting. So, even when they see it, they have questions why anyone would smoke!
I already signed! as someone who used to smoke because i was constantly around those who smoked, i find it very important that smoking not be shown to young kids as it really does influence them to pick up a cigarette
I thought there was less smoking in movies now but we still need to focus on education about the risks.
It’s sad that children still think of smoking as an “adult” thing to do and feel that smoking makes them seem more mature, sexy or popular.
I dont think it makes a difference. My son was very close to my dad and dad died of cancer, but that didn’t stop my son from smoking. (he’s quit since, btw) Saying that seeing something or being exposed to something makes someone decide to do something? YEAH NOPE… because then we can start the arguement about sexuality etc. Some people, I do feel (just me btw, not saying its science etc) have an addictive personality …