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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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Strong Testimonies Given at Senate Committee Hearing on Smoking in Movies [05/12-2]
Excerpts from: Strong Words at Anti-Tobacco Hearing
By Wendy Melillo Adweek [05/11/04]
Advocates called on Hollywood to limit the depiction of smoking in movies at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Tuesday, arguing that films with smoking scenes should be given an "R" rating the same way movies featuring foul language are rated.
In making his point, Stan Glantz, a professor of medicine at the University of California and tobacco critic, used profanity in his testimony, prompting a rebuke from Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., who had asked for the hearing.
Under the terms of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with 46 states, the tobacco industry agreed to refrain from product placement in movies and TV shows. A group of 25 attorneys general have been pressing the MPAA, the National Association of Theatre Owners and the various guilds representing directors, writers and actors to reduce the depiction of smoking in movies [Adweek, May 3].
Meanwhile, the attorneys general of 29 states sent a letter to Brown & Williamson on May 7, warning the tobacco company to stop its radio campaign for Kool cigarettes which features hip-hop music because it is marketing cigarettes to children. In the letter, the attorneys general called on the company to pull all promotions and ads for the campaign and to refrain from similar promotions in the future. Under the terms of the MSA, the states must give tobacco companies a one-month notice before filing a lawsuit to enforce the settlement agreement.
Calls for limiting smoking in movies and informing parents through the rating system when movies do display the practice have grown louder following a Dartmouth Medical School study showing that the appearance of smoking in films has increased. The issue also has bipartisan support in the Senate.
click here to view individual testimonies from this hearing
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