AMA Alliance to Release Survey Results About On-screen Smoking

WHEN: Monday, February 12, 1:45 to 2:15 p.m. EST

WHERE: JW Marriott, Salon III1331 Pennsylvania Ave NWWashington, D.C. 20004

Newswise — Every day in the United States, about 4,000 youth ages 12-17 try a cigarette for the first time. A decade of peer-reviewed research supports the conclusion that U.S. movies recruit 390,000 new adolescent smokers each year. Reducing teens' exposure to on-screen tobacco imagery will reduce recruitment and subsequent premature death from tobacco proportionately.

In the past, the Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA) has refused to give an R rating to movies with smoking or adopt other substantial, industry-wide policies advocated by health experts to reduce exposure. MPAA says it is waiting to hear from parents.

Amid a grassroots movement to clear tobacco imagery from future G-, PG- and R-rated films, this national poll results show public support for such measures is growing rapidly.