MPAA Now Considers Smoking as One of the Rating Factors

How many movies have you seen that depict a character smoking? Nearly every movie available shows a person smoking a cigarette in some form or another. But what if the actual film rating was partly based on whether or not a character smoked? Well, this notion is now a reality, as The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is now going to consider films that depict a person smoking for criteria in assigning movie ratings. Several Anti-tobacco activists have been asking for an automatic R rating for films that have smoking scenes, but the MPAA quickly rejected this proposition.

But why is smoking such a huge concern in film ratings? People have been smoking in films ever since the very first motion picture hit audiences. CEO and MPAA Chairman, Dan Glickman, was quoted saying that the rating system "is designed to evolve alongside modern parental concerns." Which is true, throughout the years, the MPAA has took-on many different factors, some of which include violence, sexual situations and language, in coming up with the films rating. However, now if there is a scene where the actors light a cigarette, than this can raise the films rating.

But how will the MPAA decide if the smoking scenes are enough to cause the rating to rise? Well, they will ask themselves three questions in determining the outcome. The three questions are:

• Is the smoking pervasive?
• Does the film glamorize smoking?
• Is there a historic or other mitigating context?

When a film's rating is raised because of this factor, than you will see the following phrases, "glamorized smoking" or "pervasive smoking." But what will be the effect this has on the film industry and the way that scenes are depicted? Film studios must walk a thin line when considering film ratings. Because, if a certain rating is assigned to one of their films, than they may loose an entire audience, due to the fact that many people will not go and watch a film because of its rating. Thus, if smoking throughout a film will cause the film rating to rise, you can bet yourself that there is going to be a lot less smoking in films. Especially films that were made for the entire family unit.