Is smoking in movies a bad influence?

[AB Asks]

UK health group ASH have announced that images of smoking in movies has a negative effect on teenagers and children. It is calling for a reduction in the number of times smoking is shown in movies and TV shows. Are they right? Does smoking in films influence young people? Should film makers avoid showing it?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6625753.stm

[tiny e.a]

If you ask me there's not enough smoking in films. I've always felt 'Feed the Birds' would have much more impact if performed by Mary Poppins with a cig hanging from her mouth, and Cinderella should have been represented as a heavy smoker to explain how she coped with the stress of her miserable and perilous existence before the ball.

[Reverandfunk]

Let's be honest how many films have people smoking in them? Add to list: drinking, sex scenes, drug taking etc etc.

[MrBen5]

Hmmm, i think anything influences young people. If their parents arent teaching them real life and the do's and dont's, then when something happens, everyone always blames movies. Its pathetic...

[newtron]

It's all Hollywood's fault!! Let's sue them!!

[kwicky]

When you see an advert on TV they don't just ram the product in your face but build it around a situation. It obviously pays off because the advert is shown repeatedly. The same with films, you are drawn into the drama and so associate smoking to be part of the scene. This will encourage many who live out their lives to use cigarette smoking in what is seen as a natural phenonemon.

[Pippa68]

That caterpillar in Disney's 'Alice In Wonderland' got me into weed...