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Cinema without cigarettes - AMA

AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that all Australian governments must legislate to

introduce anti-smoking health warnings to be screened in cinemas before any movies identified that contain images of characters smoking cigarettes.

Dr Glasson said we should set the example here to put pressure on Hollywood and the other major international movie-making centres.

Research from the University of California reported today shows that smoking on the big screen is at its highest level for 50 years - with 'about 11 depictions of smoking in every hour of the typical film'.

Dr Glasson said there is no doubt that young people are influenced by characters in movies and, with most big movies aimed at youth audiences, it is inevitable that kids will ape the actions and mannerisms and habits of their screen idols.

"If smoking is glamorised, then people will smoke because they think it's sexy.

"If a film character smokes because they are stressed, people will think that smoking is a stress-reliever.

"Smoking kills people.  The community would be far better off and much healthier if smoking and smoking images were removed from movies completely.

"That is not too much to ask to save lives, especially young lives," Dr Glasson said.

The AMA is a strong and active anti-smoking advocate, calling for:

  • Smoke-free work places
  • Smoke-free pubs, clubs and restaurants
  • Cigarette shock packs
  • The banning of terms such as 'light' or 'mild' from cigarette packs.

"Getting mandatory anti-smoking messages into cinemas will be a big advance and will counter the message that smoking is glamorous," Dr Glasson said.

"If we don't do it, next year's Best Picture Oscar could be a contest between The Lord of the Smoke Rings, Good Will Coughing, The Lung Goodbye, Dial D for Durry, and Catarrh Ballou."

CONTACT:         John Flannery            (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761

                       Judith Tokley             (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306

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