Smoking Scenes In Movies Research Articles

The Influence of Exposure to Smoking in Movies on Cigarette Cravings among Adolescents: A Contextual Quasi-Experimental Model

ABSTRACTThis study explored the socio-contextual characteristics of adolescents that led them to have increased cigarette cravings when exposed to smoking scenes in films. We analyzed online survey data collected from a representative sample of 955 Korean adolescents. Our dependent variable was change in cigarette cravings after watching a smoking scene; independent variables included sex, age, school type, allowance, smoking experience, and parental smoking. We used paired t-tests to identify the differences in cigarette cravings modified by individual characteristics, and we performed logistic regression to explore the influences on these changes in cravings. The high school students investigated herein had significantly stronger cigarette cravings after they watched smoking scenes than they did prior to watching these scenes (t = −5.039, p < 0.001). The cravings were significantly higher after watching the clips among non-smokers (t = −4.264, p < 0.001) and participants who had at least one parent who smoked (t = -2.114, p < 0.05); non-smoking adolescents were also more likely to crave cigarettes after they watched smoking scenes than were smokers (odds ratio = 6.90, p < 0.001). Korean adolescents who did not smoke and those who had at least one parent who smoked showed the strongest cigarette cravings after being exposed to smoking in films. Consequently, more effective prevention strategies should be developed that recognize this tendency when regulating smoking scenes in movies or implementing related campaigns among adolescents.

Frequency and duration of smoking scenes in Turkish movies

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive tobacco control law in Turkey bans advertisement, promotion of tobacco products and sponsorship by the tobacco industry. Advertisement of tobacco products was banned on television, billboards and press media, but not on movie films. METHODS: To evaluate the frequency and duration of smoking in the movies, 60 most watched Turkish films which were on the vision during the second half of 2016 were determined for this descriptive study. Two young males having a university degree were trained on the aim and methodology of the study. Then the two observers viewed the films independently and recorded smoking scenes or direct appearance of tobacco products on a standard form. RESULTS: There were tobacco products or smoking views in 36 (60%) out of total 60 movies. In these movies there were 4.75 times tobacco occurrences as an average (median 3). Average duration of smoking occurrences was almost 3.5 min (198 s). Smokers were mostly main characters and smoking occurrences were mostly in exciting or romantic atmosphere, which are attractive for young people. DISCUSSION: In the light of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (Article 13), smoking scenes in movies are considered as kind of tobacco advertisement and promotion, which influences smoking behavior particularly the young people. Therefore, control and prevention of smoking occurrences in movies are important for the protection of children and young people to start smoking. Some health warnings and anti-tobacco messages may be placed in the movies, to reduce tobacco views in the movies.

Effect of Viewing Smoking Scenes in Motion Pictures on Subsequent Smoking Desire in Audiences in South Korea.

BackgroundIn the modern era of heightened awareness of public health, smoking scenes in movies remain relatively free from public monitoring. The effect of smoking scenes in movies on the promotion of viewers’ smoking desire remains unknown.ObjectiveThe study aimed to explore whether exposure of adolescent smokers to images of smoking in fılms could stimulate smoking behavior.MethodsData were derived from a national Web-based sample survey of 748 Korean high-school students. Participants aged 16-18 years were randomly assigned to watch three short video clips with or without smoking scenes. After adjusting covariates using propensity score matching, paired sample t test and logistic regression analyses compared the difference in smoking desire before and after exposure of participants to smoking scenes.ResultsFor male adolescents, cigarette craving was significantly higher in those who watched movies with smoking scenes than in the control group who did not view smoking scenes (t307.96=2.066, P<.05). In the experimental group, too, cigarette cravings of adolescents after viewing smoking scenes were significantly higher than they were before watching smoking scenes (t161.00=2.867, P<.01). After adjusting for covariates, more impulsive adolescents, particularly males, had significantly higher cigarette cravings: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.40 (95% CI 1.40-8.23). However, those who actively sought health information had considerably lower cigarette cravings than those who did not engage in information-seeking: aOR 0.08 (95% CI 0.01-0.88).ConclusionsSmoking scenes in motion pictures may increase male adolescent smoking desire. Establishing a standard that restricts the frequency of smoking scenes in films and assigning a smoking-related screening grade to films is warranted.

Exposure of Secondary School Adolescents from Argentina and Mexico to Smoking Scenes in Movies: a Population-based Estimation.

Smoking scenes in movies promote adolescent smoking onset; thus, the analysis of the number of images of smoking in movies really reaching adolescents has become a subject of increasing interest. The aim of this study was to estimate the level of exposure to images of smoking in movies watched by adolescents in Argentina and Mexico. First-year secondary school students from Argentina and Mexico were surveyed. One hundred highest-grossing films from each year of the period 2009-2013 (Argentina) and 2010-2014 (Mexico) were analyzed. Each participant was assigned a random sample of 50 of these movies and was asked if he/she had watched them. The total number of adolescents who had watched each movie in each country was estimated and was multiplied by the number of smoking scenes (occurrences) in each movie to obtain the number of gross smoking impressions seen by secondary school adolescents from each country. Four-hundred and twenty-two movies were analyzed in Argentina and 433 in Mexico. Exposure to more than 500 million smoking impressions was estimated for adolescents in each country, averaging 128 and 121 minutes of smoking scenes seen by each Argentine and Mexican adolescent, respectively. Although 15, 16 and 18-rated movies had more smoking scenes in average, movies rated for younger teenagers were responsible for the highest number of smoking scenes watched by the students (67.3% in Argentina and 54.4% in Mexico) due to their larger audience. At the population level, movies aimed at children are responsible for the highest tobacco burden seen by adolescents.

Exposure of Secondary School Adolescents from Argentina and Mexico to Smoking Scenes in Movies: a Population-based Estimation

Exposure of Secondary School Adolescents from Argentina and Mexico to Smoking Scenes in Movies: a Population-based Estimation

The Mediating Role of Perceived Descriptive and Injunctive Norms in the Effects of Media Messages on Youth Smoking

This research advances and tests a normative mediation model of media effects on youth smoking. The model predicts that exposure to various types of smoking-related media messages, including anti-smoking ads, cigarette ads, and smoking scenes in movies and television shows, exerts indirect effects on youth smoking intentions through the mediation of perceived descriptive and injunctive norms. Analysis of the data from the 3rd Legacy Media Tracking Survey offers general support for the proposed model with some unexpected findings, revealing a complex picture of media influence on youth smoking via normative and non-normative mechanisms. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

World Health Organization: Do we have to intensify global tobacco control efforts?

Sir, Globally, consumption of tobacco account for 6 million deaths every year, and has been acknowledged as one of the leading public health concerns threatening the mankind.[1] Furthermore, close to 80% of the word's smokers are from low- and middle-income countries, and it is anticipated that the number of deaths can increase up to 8 million by the year 2030, in the absence of effective public health interventions.[1,2] Recognizing the magnitude of the problem and its impact on different aspects of an individual/family/society, the World Health Organization has developed a Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which was thoroughly supported by the member states.[2,3] The FCTC target was to reduce the global consumption of tobacco by 30% by the year 2025 and to achieve the same, MPOWER (viz. Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies; Protect people from tobacco use; Offer help to quit tobacco use; Warn about the dangers of tobacco; Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship; and Raise taxes on tobacco), was introduced in the year 2008.[3] In fact, in Iran, multiple indicators targeting policy makers, stakeholders, and the community, have been developed to evaluate the implementation of FCTC.[4] A wide range of studies have been performed to assess the utility of telephone interactive voice-response tobacco cessation support service; and opinion of general population regarding smoking scenes in movies; hence that awareness among stakeholders regarding tobacco control can be enhanced.[5,6] Although, recent estimates reflect a gradual decline in the rate of tobacco usage, only 37 nations are expected to achieve 30% tobacco reduction as initially set for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases.[2] This has been attributed to the wider challenges and obstacles identified in different settings such as poor awareness among the general population about the adverse effects associated with tobacco consumption, especially in low-resource settings; legal hurdles; poor surveillance activities; absence of effective measures to facilitate reduction in tobacco demand; lack of measures to protect people from tobacco smoke or to extend adequate help to quit tobacco use; and no strict enforcement of bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.[2,3,7] In order to intensify the global efforts to counter the tobacco epidemic, it is important to realize that adequate monitoring and thorough surveillance is the key to modify the existing policies in the local settings, and that second-hand smoke can kill both adults and children.[1,2] In addition, implementation of other measures like extending help to quit consumption of tobacco by offering them counseling and medications; organizing periodic awareness campaigns preferably in the local language of the residents; consistent display of pictorial warnings on tobacco products; enforcing ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship related activities; and raising taxes on tobacco products to discourage its usage.[2,3,7,8] In conclusion, it is the need of the hour that policy makers should intensify the tobacco control efforts and work in a concerted manner along with other stakeholders to constantly improve the tobacco control. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Association between Exposures of Smoking Scenes in Movies and Smoking Behavior among Korean Adolescents

Association between Exposures of Smoking Scenes in Movies and Smoking Behavior among Korean Adolescents

‘Carcinogens in a puff’: smoking in Hong Kong movies

Smoking scenes in movies, exploited by the tobacco industry to circumvent advertisement bans, are linked to adolescent smoking. Recently, a Hong Kong romantic comedy Love in a puff put smoking...

Media and Children

PHYSICIANS UNDERESTIMATE THE INFLUENCE OF THE media on children and adolescents. On average, children and adolescents spend more than 6 hours a day with media—more time than in formal classroom instruction. In addition, US youth have unprecedented access to media (two-thirds have a television set in their bedrooms, half have a VCR or DVD player, half have a video game console, and almost one-third have Internet access or a computer), making parental monitoring of media use difficult. A recent survey of 365 pediatricians found that only half recommend limiting media use to 1 to 2 hours per day (the recommended American Academy of Pediatrics policy) and half were not interested in learning more about media effects on their patients through media education. But the media have an influence on a variety of health issues, such as sex, drugs, aggressive behavior, obesity, eating disorders, and suicide. It is important for physicians to understand the most harmful aspects of media use and whether young people can be adequately protected against them, and how to maximize prosocial media. The media are not the leading cause of any pediatric health problem in the United States, but they do make a substantial contribution to many health problems, including the following. Violence. Research on media violence and its relationship to real-life aggression is substantial and convincing. Young persons learn their attitudes about violence at a very young age and, once learned, those attitudes are difficult to modify. Conservative estimates are that media violence may be associated with 10% of real-life violence. Office counseling about media violence and guns could reduce violence exposure for an estimated 800 000 children per year. Sex. Several longitudinal studies have linked exposure to sex in the media to earlier onset of sexual intercourse, and 8 studies have documented that giving adolescents access to condoms does not lead to earlier sexual activity. The media represent an important access point for birth control information for youth; however, the major networks continue to balk at airing contraception advertisements at the same time they are airing unprecedented amounts of sexual situations and innuendoes in their prime-time programs. Drugs. Witnessing smoking scenes in movies may be the leading factor associated with smoking initiation among youth. In addition, young persons can be heavily influenced by alcohol and cigarette advertising. More than $20 billion a year is spent in the United States on advertising cigarettes ($13 billion), alcohol ($5 billion), and prescription drugs ($4 billion). Obesity. Media use is implicated in the current epidemic of obesity worldwide, but it is unclear how. Children and adolescents view an estimated 7500 food advertisements per year, most of which are for junk food or fast food. Contributing factors to obesity may include that watching television changes eating habits and media use displaces more active physical pursuits. Eating Disorders. The media are a major contributor to the formation of an adolescent’s body self-image. In Fiji, a naturalistic study of teenaged girls found that the prevalence of eating disorders increased dramatically after the introduction of American TV programs. At the same time, clinicians need to recognize the extraordinary positive power of the media. Antiviolence attitudes, empathy, cooperation, tolerance toward individuals of other races and ethnicities, respect for older people—the media can be powerfully prosocial. Media can also be used constructively in the classroom in ways that are better than traditional textbooks. For instance, middle school students are often assigned to read Romeo and Juliet as their first exposure to Shakespeare. Might it not be more effective, given that Shakespeare wrote his plays to be observed and not to be read, to watch one of the at least 10 different versions available on DVD? Reading Civil War history using a textbook pales in comparison to watching a TV documentary bring history to life. What could be a more entertaining way to teach high school physics than using episodes of Mythbusters? In

Can Cigarette Warnings Counterbalance Effects of Smoking Scenes in Movies?

Scenes in movies where smoking occurs have been empirically shown to influence teenagers to smoke cigarettes. The capacity of a Canadian warning label on cigarette packages to decrease the effects of smoking scenes in popular movies has been investigated. A 2 x 3 factorial design was used to test the effects of the same movie scene with or without electronic manipulation of all elements related to smoking, and cigarette pack warnings, i.e., no warning, text-only warning, and text+picture warning. Smoking-related stereotypes and intent to smoke of teenagers were measured. It was found that, in the absence of warning, and in the presence of smoking scenes, teenagers showed positive smoking-related stereotypes. However, these effects were not observed if the teenagers were first exposed to a picture and text warning. Also, smoking-related stereotypes mediated the relationship of the combined presentation of a text and picture warning and a smoking scene on teenagers' intent to smoke. Effectiveness of Canadian warning labels to prevent or to decrease cigarette smoking among teenagers is discussed, and areas of research are proposed.

Smoking scenes in popular Japanese serial television dramas: descriptive analysis during the same 3-month period in two consecutive years

Japanese serial television dramas are becoming very popular overseas, particularly in other Asian countries. Exposure to smoking scenes in movies and television dramas has been known to trigger initiation of habitual smoking in young people. Smoking scenes in Japanese dramas may affect the smoking behavior of many young Asians. We examined smoking scenes and smoking-related items in serial television dramas targeting young audiences in Japan during the same season in two consecutive years. Fourteen television dramas targeting the young audience broadcast between July and September in 2001 and 2002 were analyzed. A total of 136 h 42 min of television programs were divided into unit scenes of 3 min (a total of 2734 unit scenes). All the unit scenes were reviewed for smoking scenes and smoking-related items. Of the 2734 3-min unit scenes, 205 (7.5%) were actual smoking scenes and 387 (14.2%) depicted smoking environments with the presence of smoking-related items, such as ash trays. In 185 unit scenes (90.2% of total smoking scenes), actors were shown smoking. Actresses were less frequently shown smoking (9.8% of total smoking scenes). Smoking characters in dramas were in the 20-49 age group in 193 unit scenes (94.1% of total smoking scenes). In 96 unit scenes (46.8% of total smoking scenes), at least one non-smoker was present in the smoking scenes. The smoking locations were mainly indoors, including offices, restaurants and homes (122 unit scenes, 59.6%). The most common smoking-related items shown were ash trays (in 45.5% of smoking-item-related scenes) and cigarettes (in 30.2% of smoking-item-related scenes). Only 3 unit scenes (0.1 % of all scenes) promoted smoking prohibition. This was a descriptive study to examine the nature of smoking scenes observed in Japanese television dramas from a public health perspective.

Smoking Scenes in Movies and Antismoking Advertisements before Movies: Effects on Youth

In two experiments, the authors test rival theses regarding the effects of smoking in feature films on youths and the ability of antismoking advertising to nullify those effects. Eight hundred nint...

Smoking Scenes in Movies and Antismoking Advertisements before Movies: Effects on Youth

In two experiments, the authors test rival theses regarding the effects of smoking in feature films on youths and the ability of antismoking advertising to nullify those effects. Eight hundred ninth graders watched either original movie footage with smoking or control footage with the smoking edited out. Emotional reactions were recorded during viewing, and smoking-related thoughts, beliefs, and intent were assessed afterward. The findings support the Forbidden Fruit thesis, in that smoking (versus nonsmoking) scenes positively aroused the young viewers, enhanced their perceptions of smokers’ social stature, and increased their intent to smoke. However, youths’ opinions were malleable, and showing them an antismoking advertisement before the film effectively repositioned the smoking from forbidden to tainted, thereby nullifying the aforementioned effects. No support was obtained for the Excitation Transfer theory, which predicts that the positive arousal evoked by movie scenes would transfer to smokers who were depicted in those scenes. The authors discuss policy implications for film content and antismoking advertising.