Puh Lease

Taken from NBC 14:

For the first time in 13 years, Agent 007 lights up on the big screen. And the new James Bond film, "Die Another Day," is taking heat for glamorizing smoking.

The first time we ever saw 007 on the big screen, he lit a cigarette, flicked out his lighter and said the famous line, "Bond, James Bond." That scene certainly created an image. But many argue it's not the one we want our kids to see.

James Bond smokes cigars in his new movie. It's the first time actor Pierce Brosnan has used tobacco on screen since he took over the role in the mid-90s. Back then, Brosnan reportedly didn't want to set a bad example for his young fans, but reconsidered for this film because it's set in Cuba, which is known for its fine cigars.

Movie-goers may not notice the change, but the American Cancer Society does. "When our children see actors and actresses smoke whenever they go out and play with their friends, for example, or they mimic them, they tend to do the behaviors that they saw", says Susan Mulder of the American Cancer Society.

One anti-smoking lobby based in Las Angeles reports 92% of all the PG13 films currently in theaters feature smoking. They're pushing for such movies to carry an R-rating and stop showing tobacco brand names. They also want to start running anti-tobacco ads before these film start with credits that certify the movie-makers didn't receive any compensation from tobacco companies.

Britain seems to be taking the lead on this one. They're expected to outlaw the use of cigarettes in movies and T.V. shows as early as next year. (Full Text)

I don't like smoking or smokers, but prohibiting smoking in PG-13 movies? C'mon!