The Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health wants to protect youth from watching movies that feature smoking.
Doctor Hazel Lynn says she will go to the Ontario Film Review Board today to request they change the rating system for movies.
She says they want any movie that shows people smoking, or that features tobacco advertising, to be given at least an 18A rating.
Lynn says there would be some exceptions — like movies that show a prominent historical figure that smokes, or films that portray the dangerous effects of smoking.
Lynn says too often, smoking is portrayed as something that’s totally normal with no harmful effects, and that is misleading our kids.
She says there are several groups calling for the changes, including the Non-Smokers’ Rights Association.
The organization has tracked the amount of tobacco images are on films, and Lynn says it’s astounding how much advertising and subliminal images are being shown to our kids.
She says we’re allowing our kids to basically become addicted, because we’ve been complacent on the issue.
She adds Canadian children are exposed to 60 per cent more tobacco imagery than kids in the US — because there is no 14A rating in between PG and 18A in the States.
If you want to express your concerns to the Ontario Film Review Board, Dr. Lynn encourages you to visit the website at www.ofrb.gov.on.ca
