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We read with interest the editorial by Glantz1 regarding the
influence of films showing smoking on teenagers. We completely agree with
him and Sargent et al 2 that smoking in the films have an encouraging
influence on the teenagers. There is no doubt that today’s youngster is
exposed to more technological advances than our generation. The stress
over children is increased tremendously. There is increased pressure on
the children to succeed in the ever-competitive world. Viewing the
successful ‘hero’ figure in the film smoking, the attitudes towards
smoking are bound to become favourable and increase the prevalence of
smoking. It is therefore absolutely vital to stamp down these negative
influences on our future generations with toughest possible measures.
Hence the steps suggested by Glantz deserve sincere consideration.
Another point we would like to bring to your notice is that the
children under the age of 10 are equally influenced by the media. There is
sufficient evidence to suggest that watching violence on the media,
including television, contributes to violence and aggression in children
in short and long term3. The same logic can be applied with respect to the
influence of smoking on these innocent minds. We were horrified to see the
extent of smoking in the children’s films including evergreen cartoons
like Tom and Jerry 4. There is a great risk that viewing these cartoons
could give an impression that smoking is a ‘fun thing’. We wonder if
anyone has already noticed this and if anything could be done to stop
this.
Nandkishor V Athavale, Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine
Department of the Medicine for the Elderly,
Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham. S60 2UD.
References: -
1.Glantz SA. Smoking in teenagers and watching films showing smoking. BMJ
2001;323:1378-9.
2. Sargent JD, Beach ML, Dalton MA, Mott LA, Tickle JJ, Ahrens MB, et al.
Effect of seeing tobacco use in films on trying smoking among
adolescents:
Cross sectional study. BMJ 2001; 323: 1394-7.
3.McLellan F. Do violent movies make violent children? Lancet 2002; 359:
502.
4.Hanna W, Barbera J. Tom and Jerry cartoons. Boomrang cartoon network
channel. www.cartoonnetwork.co.uk
Competing interests:
No competing interests
22 May 2002
Nandkishor V Athavale.
Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine
Preeti N Athavale.
Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 2UD. (UK)
Effect of media on children under 10 and smoking.
EFFECTS OF MEDIA ON CHILDREN UNDER 10 AND SMOKING
Sir,
We read with interest the editorial by Glantz1 regarding the
influence of films showing smoking on teenagers. We completely agree with
him and Sargent et al 2 that smoking in the films have an encouraging
influence on the teenagers. There is no doubt that today’s youngster is
exposed to more technological advances than our generation. The stress
over children is increased tremendously. There is increased pressure on
the children to succeed in the ever-competitive world. Viewing the
successful ‘hero’ figure in the film smoking, the attitudes towards
smoking are bound to become favourable and increase the prevalence of
smoking. It is therefore absolutely vital to stamp down these negative
influences on our future generations with toughest possible measures.
Hence the steps suggested by Glantz deserve sincere consideration.
Another point we would like to bring to your notice is that the
children under the age of 10 are equally influenced by the media. There is
sufficient evidence to suggest that watching violence on the media,
including television, contributes to violence and aggression in children
in short and long term3. The same logic can be applied with respect to the
influence of smoking on these innocent minds. We were horrified to see the
extent of smoking in the children’s films including evergreen cartoons
like Tom and Jerry 4. There is a great risk that viewing these cartoons
could give an impression that smoking is a ‘fun thing’. We wonder if
anyone has already noticed this and if anything could be done to stop
this.
Nandkishor V Athavale, Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine
Nathavale49@hotmail.com
Preeti N Athavale, Senior House Officer
Department of the Medicine for the Elderly,
Rotherham General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham. S60 2UD.
References: -
1.Glantz SA. Smoking in teenagers and watching films showing smoking. BMJ
2001;323:1378-9.
2. Sargent JD, Beach ML, Dalton MA, Mott LA, Tickle JJ, Ahrens MB, et al.
Effect of seeing tobacco use in films on trying smoking among
adolescents:
Cross sectional study. BMJ 2001; 323: 1394-7.
3.McLellan F. Do violent movies make violent children? Lancet 2002; 359:
502.
4.Hanna W, Barbera J. Tom and Jerry cartoons. Boomrang cartoon network
channel. www.cartoonnetwork.co.uk
Competing interests: No competing interests