What can be done about smoking in movies?

The Cancer Council NSW wants to see the screening of a strong anti-smoking advertisement shown before any film that contains smoking images to lower the impact of smoking in movies on young people. Research has shown that this is effective and the NSW government could introduce this quickly by amending the NSW Public Health Act 1991. The cost of screening the ads could be paid for by the cinemas and distributors so this wouldn’t cost the government anything.

How would the anti-smoking ad make a difference?

Studies in Australia and the US show that screening an ad makes the smoking in the film less attractive and appealing. Smokers thought they would be more likely to quit after seeing the ad.

In the US, there is support for all films that feature smoking to receive an “R” rating. In the US, the rating system is different to that in Australia. An “R” film there can be viewed by 17 year olds if accompanied by an adult. A film can receive an “R” rating in the US if it contains 2 swear words.

This is the ad that The Cancer Council developed to be screened before films that contain smoking. It has run all over NSW.

Watch the Cancer Council Cinema counter ad (5.47 MB)

 Check out whether the latest box office hits contain smoking