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Frequency and duration of smoking scenes in Turkish movies
Nazmi Bilir1, Hilal Ozcebe1, Sule Akcay2, Elif Babaoglu3, Sema Canbakan4, Burcu Cirit4, Ozlem Ercen Diken5, Tijen Sengezer6
1 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
2 Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey
3 Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
4 University of Health Sciences Ankara Ataturk Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
5 Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Ankara, Turkey
6 Department of Family Medicine, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence Address:
Prof. Nazmi Bilir
Hacettepe University Institute of Public Health, Ankara 06100
Turkey
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/ejop.ejop_68_18
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BACKGROUND: Comprehensive tobacco control law in Turkey bans advertisement, promotion of tobacco products and sponsorship by the tobacco industry. Advertisement of tobacco products was banned on television, billboards and press media, but not on movie films.
METHODS: To evaluate the frequency and duration of smoking in the movies, 60 most watched Turkish films which were on the vision during the second half of 2016 were determined for this descriptive study. Two young males having a university degree were trained on the aim and methodology of the study. Then the two observers viewed the films independently and recorded smoking scenes or direct appearance of tobacco products on a standard form.
RESULTS: There were tobacco products or smoking views in 36 (60%) out of total 60 movies. In these movies there were 4.75 times tobacco occurrences as an average (median 3). Average duration of smoking occurrences was almost 3.5 min (198 s). Smokers were mostly main characters and smoking occurrences were mostly in exciting or romantic atmosphere, which are attractive for young people.
DISCUSSION: In the light of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (Article 13), smoking scenes in movies are considered as kind of tobacco advertisement and promotion, which influences smoking behavior particularly the young people. Therefore, control and prevention of smoking occurrences in movies are important for the protection of children and young people to start smoking. Some health warnings and anti-tobacco messages may be placed in the movies, to reduce tobacco views in the movies.
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