Netflix has decided to ban cigarettes from some of its productions

The study carried out by the Truth Initiative shows that the cigarette is heavily played up in some series aimed at young audiences. Alerted by that finding, Netflix has decided to ban them from its future productions.

Less tobacco at Netflix

Every streaming and video-on-demand platform is covered by the study. Twelve of the 13 series most watched by 15 to 24-year-olds regularly and conspicuously put smokers on screen.

For now, only one group has said it intends to change its habits. Aware of the influence of its series and productions on its young audience, Netflix has decided to respond to the findings of the Truth Initiative study. Its future productions for young viewers will simply ban the cigarette.

Since tobacco is harmful to everyone’s health, the American company is also committing to reducing the number of scenes featuring cigarettes, cigars, pipes and the like in its future productions for older audiences.

Figures that give pause for thought

In season 2 of Stranger Things, 262 cigarettes were seen on screen. In Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, season 4 counts no fewer than 292 cigarettes smoked, and there were 233 in season 6 of Orange is the New Black.

Mindful of the impact of its series and films on its audience, Netflix wants to set an example and has now announced that information on tobacco will be made available on the platform. The “glamorous” side of tobacco can no longer be endorsed by the American giant, which does not wish to legitimise the addiction by making it look “normal”.

United States government data indicate that among young people regularly exposed to images of tobacco, the risk of taking up smoking is twice as high as among the rest. The risk of identifying with a favourite character and imitating them inevitably leads to picking up their habits, whatever they may be.