Disney Bans Smoking

By Jason Morgan: 2007-07-25 17:02:20

Smoking is a funny thing. In fact, everything is funnier with a cigarette. Example – guy riding down the street on a bike. Not funny. Guy ridding down the street on a bike with a cigarette hanging from his mouth – funny. It’s a sign of desperation and complete submission to an addiction. In recent years, this comic device has been assaulted with anti-smoking campaigns. All Americans are, by now, familiar with Stand – the anti-smoking group. The funniest thing is that, while smoking is bad for you, it doesn’t tear apart families like alcohol. How many commercials have you seen today that glorified alcohol?

Now this anti-smoking agenda is spilling into the cinema. Back in May, Josh ranted about the the MPAA campaigning for an R rating with any film that has smoking in it. Today, Yahoo! reported that Disney has banned all depictions of smoking from its films – the first Hollywood studio to do so. Additionally, Disney will “discourage” smoking in films from its Touchstone and Miramax labels. And, Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger also said that the studio would place anti-smoking public service announcements on DVDs of any future films that feature cigarette smoking.

While the first reaction to this type of censorship is extreme anger, it highlights the programmed mentality of Hollywood and audiences. Market segments are targeted and then sold entertainment in the forms of movies. Disney is primarily a family-oriented mass producer of movie entertainment, it’s really no surprise that they would jump on a popular public agenda.

If you’re anything like me, when you hear this kind of news or see some anti-smoking commercial smacking you in the face with some “staggering statistics,” your first reaction is to run out and buy and smoke a pack of cigarettes just because you don’t like being told what is right and wrong. Then again, with the legislation banning smoking in public places passed in many states and this trend in cinema censorship, the anti-smoking agenda seems to be our generations red scare.

Perhaps our government and corporations are just preparing us for a uniform future, where we all look the same, think the same and wear those sweet silver jumpsuits on our way to the moon or a neighboring planet. Or it could just be the man trampling on your God given right to smoke a damn cigarette if you want to.

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Steve W Says:
July 25th, 2007 at 19:12
I am not surprised by this move. Disney recently banned smoking in all areas of the resorts, except designated smoking areas. You can no longer smoke outside on your balcony.

Honestly, I don't care. I have no problem going without a cigarette when it's not allowed. Even when you could I wouldn't smoke in a restaurant...only in bars. Like you said, the main issue is just being told what you can and can't do.

Charity Says:
July 26th, 2007 at 14:30
As you say, why stop at smoking? Why not forbid depictions of drinking, or divorce, or adultery, or smacking kids around, or killing people, or racism, or being generally unpleasant?

Kristopher Says:
July 26th, 2007 at 14:32
The thing is, I agree with banning smoking with the intention of protecting those around you, yes I think secondhand smoke hurts non-smokers, thats fine, it can be nasty and a horrible health hazard, fine. But if you as an individual want to smoke, I say light up, it is your body, your life and if you enjoy it, and it doesnt hurt any one else, go ahead. I have to draw the line though, the government is taking steps to ban things that they have no right to. To what level do we allow ourselves to be governed? The next thing you know they are making red meat illegal, or all meat products like eggs and cheese because cholestoral causes heart attacks... and I dont really blame the governemnt, they are really the public servants in these cases just doing what the "public" demands. Do you really think congress cares about smoking? No, they fold to pressure from lobbyists and private interest groups. Screw them, im sorry, we all know smoking is bad for us, we all know it kills people and we all know the Truth. but you know what?.. Thats none of your business. Next up, some group will demand a ban on meat cheese and eggs, cholestoral kills 9 billion people a year!!... mind your own business people. I dont want to end up in a totalitarian goverment rules country, this is America, I want to eat some steak and eggs, have a smoke if I feel like it, listen to loud music and if I feel so inclined, do it all while sitting on my couch, my government has to right to tell me I cant.

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