Smoking films get an R-rating?
Ratings standards for American films have stirred no small amount of controversy. There has been a lot of troubles between directors, studios and the MPAA ratings board which was shown within the 2006 documentary, This Movie is Not Yet Rated, and Times Magazine explains Hollywood has one more things to report. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made its stance by saying all movies with smoking in them shouldn't be seen by young teens and children, therefore giving the movies an "R" rating.
Smoking product placing from tobacco industry illegal
The CDC study indicates that ever since 1998, tobacco companies aren't allowed to place product in movies. Sadly, there is nevertheless a lot of smoking in movies today. The CDC made reports on the children 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 same concern. Health troubles 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.
Stopping smoking other ways
There were two other suggestions given by the CDC for the R-rated films. These contain having the credits say nobody associated with the film was given compensation for the smoking shots and also having anti-smoking ads before the film begins. However, the CDC's R rating for smoking in movies has gained probably the most traction to date, echoing a sentiment already given by the World Health Organization. WHO thinks that it is irresponsible to market towards kids by filming smoking scenes.
Don't smoke, children; it is costly
Smokers need more money to keep up with their habit nowadays. MSN Money explains one more fact to add to anti-smoking. Smoking costs are more than just cigarettes as it also includes the price of higher health insurance and dry cleaning your clothes to get the smell out. This means that in case you are 40 but quit smoking, you can possibly conserve in a 401 (k) over $ 250,000. Choosing black lung over a comfortable retirement is enough to send anyone's spending budget scrambling for paycheck loans and payday installment loans to fill the gaps. 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
