On screen smoking effects.

1. Effects of Smoking in MoviesEffects of Smoking in Movies
on Adolescentson Adolescents

2. IntroductionIntroduction

Scenes depicting cigarette smoking by popular actorsScenes depicting cigarette smoking by popular actors
in movies can influence youth to try smoking for thein movies can influence youth to try smoking for the
first time as well as encourage smokers to continue.first time as well as encourage smokers to continue.

Social cognitive theory predicts that youth will modelSocial cognitive theory predicts that youth will model
the behavior they see in their favorite films, especiallythe behavior they see in their favorite films, especially
when there is a perceived rewardwhen there is a perceived reward (ie. act cool = get the girl).(ie. act cool = get the girl).

Every day, more than 1,200Every day, more than 1,200
Americans die from smoking.Americans die from smoking.

Each of these people is replaced byEach of these people is replaced by
two new smokers under the age of 26.two new smokers under the age of 26.
(Surgeon general .gov(Surgeon general .gov))
t

3. 
Youth who are exposed to images of smoking in movies areYouth who are exposed to images of smoking in movies are
more likely to smoke.more likely to smoke.

Those who get the most exposure to onscreen smoking areThose who get the most exposure to onscreen smoking are
about twice as likely to begin smoking as those who get theabout twice as likely to begin smoking as those who get the
least exposure.least exposure.

Half of all movies for children under 13 contain scenes ofHalf of all movies for children under 13 contain scenes of
tobacco use.tobacco use.
(Surgeon General report “Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young(Surgeon General report “Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young
Adults” 2012)Adults” 2012)

Smoking in Disney Classics:Smoking in Disney Classics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuUt1NhkdvMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuUt1NhkdvM
FactsFacts

4. Social Cognitive TheorySocial Cognitive Theory

Humans can learn new thought patterns and behaviors fromHumans can learn new thought patterns and behaviors from
those around them (Bandura 2001)those around them (Bandura 2001)

The growth of video delivery technologies allows us to learnThe growth of video delivery technologies allows us to learn
from the mass media, not just direct human interaction.from the mass media, not just direct human interaction.

Behavior can be modeled after 4 prerequisites are met.Behavior can be modeled after 4 prerequisites are met.
1. Attention – See the behavior.1. Attention – See the behavior.
2. Retention – Remember the behavior.2. Retention – Remember the behavior.
3. Production – Be able to reproduce the behavior.3. Production – Be able to reproduce the behavior.
4. Motivation – Have a reason to re-enact the behavior.4. Motivation – Have a reason to re-enact the behavior.

Movies that depict a cool actor smoking will give adolescentsMovies that depict a cool actor smoking will give adolescents
the motivation to model the behavior.the motivation to model the behavior.

Most films have a happy ending, which provide the reward orMost films have a happy ending, which provide the reward or
incentive to model the behavior seen on screen.incentive to model the behavior seen on screen.

5. ResearchResearch

2012: Sargent et al find that higher exposure to movie smoking is2012: Sargent et al find that higher exposure to movie smoking is
associated with less time to trying cigarettes for the first time.associated with less time to trying cigarettes for the first time.

2010: Glantz et al find in a randomized controlled study among2010: Glantz et al find in a randomized controlled study among
smokers aged 18-25, that exposure to smoking scenes triggered ansmokers aged 18-25, that exposure to smoking scenes triggered an
immediate effect, causing them to smoke during a break after viewingimmediate effect, causing them to smoke during a break after viewing
the scenes.the scenes.

2008: Gibbons et al find that viewing more smoking in movies was2008: Gibbons et al find that viewing more smoking in movies was
related to positive expectancies about smoking and increases inrelated to positive expectancies about smoking and increases in
affiliation with smoking peers.affiliation with smoking peers.

2006: Wellman et all find that exposure to pro-tabacco marketing and2006: Wellman et all find that exposure to pro-tabacco marketing and
media increases odds of youth holding positive attitudes towardmedia increases odds of youth holding positive attitudes toward
tobacco use.tobacco use.

2000: Escamilla et all find that PG/PG13 rated movies were less likely2000: Escamilla et all find that PG/PG13 rated movies were less likely
than R rated movies to contain negative messages about smoking.than R rated movies to contain negative messages about smoking.

6. ConclusionConclusion

Research has shown that exposure to on screenResearch has shown that exposure to on screen
smoking is related to adolescents trying a cigarettesmoking is related to adolescents trying a cigarette
for the first time, as well as influencing those who dofor the first time, as well as influencing those who do
smoke to continue.smoke to continue.

According to social cognitive theory, seeing positiveAccording to social cognitive theory, seeing positive
depictions of cigarette smokers will increase the desiredepictions of cigarette smokers will increase the desire
for adolescents to smoke. Cigarette smokers in moviesfor adolescents to smoke. Cigarette smokers in movies
were also depicted more positively in movies aimed atwere also depicted more positively in movies aimed at
a younger audience.a younger audience.

There are 4 prerequisites in the modeling framework of social cognitiveThere are 4 prerequisites in the modeling framework of social cognitive
theory; attention, retention, production, and motivation. The first three stepstheory; attention, retention, production, and motivation. The first three steps
are uncontrollable However, the motivation to smoke can be greatlyare uncontrollable However, the motivation to smoke can be greatly
diminished if portrayed in a negative light.diminished if portrayed in a negative light.

Complete bans on depictions of cigarette smoking in movies would be lessComplete bans on depictions of cigarette smoking in movies would be less
effective than portraying cigarette smokers with negative consequenceseffective than portraying cigarette smokers with negative consequences
attached (ie. Death, loss of girl, unhappy ending). This would decrease theattached (ie. Death, loss of girl, unhappy ending). This would decrease the
motivation to model the behaviormotivation to model the behavior.

7. References
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (2012).U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (2012). Preventing tobacco use among youth and youngPreventing tobacco use among youth and young
adults: A report of the surgeon generaladults: A report of the surgeon generalBandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory of mass communicationBandura, A. (2001). Social cognitive theory of mass communication
.. Media PsychologyMedia Psychology,, 33(3), 265-299(3), 265-299
Dal Cin, S., Stoolmiller, M., & Sargent, J. D. (2012). When movies matter: Exposure to smoking in movies andDal Cin, S., Stoolmiller, M., & Sargent, J. D. (2012). When movies matter: Exposure to smoking in movies and
changes in smoking behavior.changes in smoking behavior. Journal of Health Communication: International PerspectivesJournal of Health Communication: International Perspectives ,, 1717(1), 76-(1), 76-
89.89.
Shueli, D., Prochaska, J. J., & Glantz, S. A. (2010). Effect of smoking scenes in films on immediate smoking:.Shueli, D., Prochaska, J. J., & Glantz, S. A. (2010). Effect of smoking scenes in films on immediate smoking:.
American Journal of Preventive MedicineAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine,, 3838(4), 351-358.(4), 351-358.
Wills, T. A., Sargent, J. D., Stoolmiller, M., Gibbons, F. X., & Gerrard, M. (2008). Movie smoking exposureWills, T. A., Sargent, J. D., Stoolmiller, M., Gibbons, F. X., & Gerrard, M. (2008). Movie smoking exposure
and smoking onset: a longitudinal study of mediation processes in a representative sample of U.S.and smoking onset: a longitudinal study of mediation processes in a representative sample of U.S.
Adolescents.Adolescents. Journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive BehaviorsJournal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 269-277, 269-277
Wellman, R. J., Sugarman, D. B., DiFranza, J. R., & Winickoff, J. P. (2006). The extent to which tobaccoWellman, R. J., Sugarman, D. B., DiFranza, J. R., & Winickoff, J. P. (2006). The extent to which tobacco
marketing and tobacco use in films contribute to children's use of tobacco .marketing and tobacco use in films contribute to children's use of tobacco . Pediatrics and AdolescentPediatrics and Adolescent
MedicineMedicine, 1285-1296, 1285-1296
Escamilla, G., Cradock, A. L., & Kawachi, I. (2000). Women and smoking in hollywood movies: a contentEscamilla, G., Cradock, A. L., & Kawachi, I. (2000). Women and smoking in hollywood movies: a content
analysis.analysis. American Journal of Public HealthAmerican Journal of Public Health,, 9090(3), 412-414.(3), 412-414.