The Broken Chair

While getting ready for work this morning, I heard an advertisement on the radio for a group trying to get all movies featuring tobacco use an R rating.  Tobacco use would be treated just like profanity, violence and nudity when placing a rating on a film.  The ad citied statistics showing that children exposed to tobacco use in movies were more likely to start smoking.

I understand the logic behind it.  Children are very impressionable, especially while viewing celebrities they emulate.  I remember thinking smoking looked cool after watching movies like Lethal Weapon and Die Hard.  And any kid like me who grew up watching James Bond movies would certainly have seen Bond pulling out a smoke from a fancy cigarette case.  Did that make me try cigarettes?  Sure did.  Did that make me a smoker?  I don't think so.

If you are/were a smoker, I'd like to know if any movies influenced you.  Also, I'd like to know from anyone if they think this proposal would have an impact.