Movie studios have been asked to include anti-smoking messages on DVDs, after studies show actors who smoke on the big screen entice youth to light up.

Attorney generals in 32 American states sent the message to Paramount Pictures, Fox Filmed Entertainment, Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Co. and five other studios this week.

“This is consistent with the state’s long-running commitment to reduce underage teen smoking,” said Janelle Guthrie, spokesperson for the Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna.

A spokeswoman from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) said the studios contacted would consider the request.

“There’s no collective decision at this point,” she said.

Under the study, by Dartmouth Medical School, 6,522 adolescents were asked about their smoking habits. Thirty-eight percent said they first tried smoking after seeing actors lighting up in films. Even if the youth’s family members and friends didn’t smoke, they were likely to try it after watching stars smoke on screen.






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