Hollywood’s Ban on Smoking In Movies Continues, THE BATMAN Actor Reveals
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actor Colin Farrell, who stars as The Penguin in the upcoming THE BATMAN, revealed that the movie would not show his character smoking.
“Big studios make big decisions around such things as the presence of cigarettes in films,” Farrell said in a recent interview. “I fought valiantly for a cigar. At one stage I said, ‘I can have it unlit! Just let me have it unlit.’ They were like, ‘No.’ [As if] a bunch of 12-year-olds are going to start smoking Cuban cigars because [the Penguin is smoking in the movie.]”
THE BATMAN isn’t the only movie putting an end to onscreen smoking. Emma Stone was given a similar mandate when starring in Disney’s CRUELLA. The studio banned smoking from their movies in 2007, extending that ban to acquired studios LucasFilm, Marvel, and Pixar in 2015.
Movieguide® previously reported on Netflix’s promise to cut smoking from their shows:
Netflix committed to reducing smoking in future projects after backlash from the latest season of STRANGER THINGS. Parents were shocked to discover 262 depictions of smoking in just the last season.
That’s not all they were shocked by. Click here to find out 3 Things Christians Should Know About STRANGER THINGS.
Netflix cited a Truth Initiative study that reports “smoking is harmful and when portrayed positively on screen can adversely influence young people.
Smoking still comes across as cool and edgy to many children and teenagers. According to a study done by the National Cancer Institute, “75% or more of contemporary box office hits have smoking in them, as well as one-third of all movies having identifiable smoking/cigarette brands.”
Movieguide® has also reported on the link between lower smoking rates in teens with stable families who regularly attend church:
New studies link lower rates of smoking in youths with stable families and weekly religious attendance.
This year the Marriage and Religion Research Institute® (MARRI) published an article on smoking trends before the age of 17, which shows that “12 percent of children who grew up in an intact married family and who now worship at least weekly have ever smoked,” whereas, “34 percent of those who grew up in all other family structures and never attend church [have ever smoked].” Those other family structures include married stepfamily, cohabitating stepfamily, single divorced-parent family, and always-single parent family.
This report continues the history of studies showing that family relationships and religious practices play important roles in the development of child behaviors.
Further surveys in the MARRI report show that teenagers who frequently have dinner with their families or who claim religion as an important aspect in their lives were significantly less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs.
As the family unit breaks apart and as religious attendance declines, children become more susceptible to drugs and alcohol.
During years of important cognitive development, children need a healthy and supportive environment to flourish apart from the encroachment of harmful substances.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
