Entertainment Industry Has Public Health Responsibility Say Authors of New Study

Medscape Medical News Reports: As a result of a recent study, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a statement calling for a ban on tobacco advertising in all media. In this statement, published in the October issue of AAP, experts point out there is 1 smoking scene every 57 minutes on American television. The statement gives 17 recommendations which include encouraging parents to limit their child's media exposure, and push for more media education and restrictions on advertising of alcohol and tobacco.  The report calls these products gateway drugs and says they "pose the greatest threat to children and teenagers," noting that those individuals who smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol are 65 times more likely to use marijuana than their peers who do not smoke or drink.
Therefore, the authors of the study are recommending pediatricians "encourage the entertainment industry to have greater sensitivity about the effects of television and movies on children and accept that the industry does, indeed, have a public health responsibility," reports Medscape Medical News.

View the full article from Medscape Medical News here.

Read AAP's report here.