Smoking in movies contributes to the number of people who continue to smoke or start smoking.  Tobacco companies use many methods to promote their products, Hollywood is one of them.

   Canada's laws do not prevent smoking in movies, despite the 1997 Tobacco Act which bans the promotion of tobacco products.  The Act does not include tobacco products or brands that are depicted in film as long as the tobacco company is not paying for the inclusion of the tobacco product.

   Smoking on screen continues to normalize the act of smoking. Health Canada and other non-government organizations are trying to de-normalize tobacco the fact is, smoking occurs on film more frequently than it does in everyday life! Ever wonder why?

  Two-thirds of all major children's animated films include the use of tobacco and alcohol.

  R.J. Reynolds once hired Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble to star in an ad for Winston cigarettes.

  Rebellion, sexiness, celebration, wealth, power and being "cool"  are all common messages associated with smoking in movies.

  These are the same messages that the tobacco industry spends 18 million dollars on each day to promote its products.

  Movie actors - who is smoking denotes the glamour and sends messages to teens that tobacco use is a highly desirable activity.

  Addiction, disease and death are often the end results of tobacco use...for movie stars as well as anyone else. Most stars who smoke recognize the harmful effects of tobacco use and try to quit...often several times.