slo’s WEDNESDAY 6/28 poll - Looking at/Watching Smoking

[slo]

Not the normal silly subject today - something a little more serious…….

What is your opinion of looking at, or watching, somebody smoke? (in the media)
Do you like the warnings before TV shows and movies now?
(multiple choice)

*The below picture is the inspiration for this poll.

*Let’s keep this poll from getting to crazy with the debates. If we do have some debates, let’s keep it friendly.


For Me……It doesn’t bother me at all to see someone smoke. I wouldn’t have even thought about the guy smoking if it wasn’t mentioned. I actually think it’s a little over the top to mention there’s smoking in a TV show or movie. Smoking is bad for you, no doubt about that, but people still smoke, it is what it is. There’s so many issues going on in this country, and the world, for me to be concerned about, and seeing another person smoke is very far down on that list.

*Nobody in my family smokes, but I know a lot of wonderful people that do. I wish, for their sake, that they wouldn’t, but that’s their business.

 

[kanerf]

Context is key. If we are talking about older films and tv programs that were filmed in or represent periods where smoking was prevalent and acceptable, I am fine with it. New media should not generally show it as it is shunned in most places.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Funny how they don’t do it with alcohol - there’s drinking in this movie or there’s drug use in this movie - both of those items are major triggers for a lot of people across a lot of things - myself included - I’ve stopped movies because of those two items and the context of how it was playing out - to close to home
You can’t protect everyone from everything is how I view things - so if it’s something I don’t like I just don’t watch it - ymmv - but I would never expect everyone to follow and have to do what I think should be done

 

[Kitty 34]

If we're talking what's in films........all the guns and violence bug me more than anyone smoking a cig.

 

[design_mom]

Seeing someone smoke on TV doesn't bother me at all. However, smelling the smoke REALLY bothers me, even if it's just a little.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

No, seeing smokers doesn’t bother me and I never really gave it any thought before.

 

[nw6675]

As a former smoker, it doesn't bother me. As wdwepcot said, the alcohol bothers me more - when even current kids shows, cartoons and animation seem to almost always have at least some wine.

Thankfully DD11 is sensitive to both situations and asks, "Mama, why do they have to show that?"

 

[Smugpugmug]

Seeing someone smoke in media doesn't bother me at all and I don't really think about it. Smelling smoke in public bothers me way more.

 

[Moliphino]

The situation in the picture wouldn't bother me at all. Seems like a stupid thing to get worked up about.
If I see paparazzi photos of celebrities smoking I judge them for it (especially younger ones who definitely should've known better), but I don't get upset.
I do like not seeing smoking much in movies or tv, but the sight of someone smoking doesn't upset me.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I don't like to see anyone smoking in the media because it gives the impression that it is an acceptable activity.

 

[Babs Johnson]

Seeing photos or videos of celebrities or everyday people smoking ranks #3843 on my list of annoyances.

 

[CGB]

No, it doesn't bother me but I appreciate companies being sensitive about it. Having lost my brothers and almost my husband to smoking-caused illnesses, I know the danger it presents. I'm more concerned about popular social media influencers being sponsored by vape companies then pushing the product. Vaping is a huge issue with teens, even as early as middle school in my experience. It's so easy to hide. We even had "weed pens" coming into the school last year. Don't know what that is? Go google it. And it was just on the news that e-cig sales jumped 46% from 2020 to 2022.

 

[ford family]

Seeing smoking doesn't bother us.
However, gratuitous bad language does bother us and we will turn off a film or tv show where this happens.

ford family

 

[fly girl]

The only time anyone smoking bothers me is if I am in a confined space with them. I don't want your second hand smoke, why should I have to damage my lungs for your habit?

Other than that, you do you.

 

[mumto3girls]

It more surprises me than upsets me. It’s just something I rarely see anymore, so when I do, it’s noticed.

I am older (54) so a lot of people in my parents generation smoked. It’s not upsetting to me, but does seem like something from another place and time.

 

[ronandannette]

I don't like to see anyone smoking in the media because it gives the impression that it is an acceptable activity.

It really doesn't, any more than drug use in entertainment (which is very wide-spread and sometimes graphic) does. When's the last time you saw a hero, or even a positive character of any kind shown smoking or taking drugs? I can't remember when. It's the villains or garden-variety wash-outs and low-lifes that are shown. And as a smoker myself, believe me when I say, nobody thinks it's cool or tries to pretend that it is.

 

[prairie_girl]

It doesn’t bother me. I don’t care either way about the warnings, but if it helps some people decide to watch the show or not, then more power to them.

I was watching a movie within the past week (can’t remember which one), and it was weird to see some of the actors smoking. They were really smoking too, not just fake. I can definitely tell when a smoker has been in our elevator.

 

[E&Cmom]

Bothers me in real life mostly due to the smell not in make believe. I ignore the warning but if others need them why not.

 

[_19disnA]

If you are talking about some older movies, smoking was a socially acceptable practice many years ago until it was realized what a health hazard it is. If you are talking about a recent show, can't recall the last time I saw anyone smoking. I still see TV shows where people use drugs but that doesn't bother me or make me think people are more likely to do drugs. I rarely see people smoke in public anymore and many places don't allow indoor smoking which is fine by me.

As a parent you can use those shows as an opportunity to talk to your children about things like smoking/vaping/recreational drug use/etc. I doubt the effectiveness of the anti-smoking commercials where they show someone who is disfigured or has various serious illnesses.

 

[MIGrandma]

No, it doesn’t bother me.

My husband and I don’t smoke, none of our parents do/did. My maternal grandfather was the only smoker in our family, since he was 14 until he died at 86. He had emphysema the last few years but still smoked. Our children didn’t smoke until they graduated high school then both picked it up. They knew how I felt about it, but I didn’t harp on it. Their choice to do so. They both have switched to vaping but I’m not sure that’s any better.