Netflix says it will cut back on smoking depictions in response to criticism

Stranger Things Hopper smoking

Netflix has pledged to reduce the number of depictions of smoking in its Original series in response to criticism from anti-smoking group Truth Initiative.

Going forwards, Netflix says smoking and e-cigarette employ will not appear in any of its original programs with ratings of TV-14 or below and all films rated PG-xiii or beneath volition, except for "reasons of historical or factual accuracy."

Further, Netflix says its college-rated content volition similarly non depict smoking or e-cigarette use "unless information technology's essential to the artistic vision of the creative person or because it's character-defining (historically or culturally important)."

According to a new study from D.C.-based Truth Initiative, smoking depictions have been on the rise in Netflix Originals, especially those geared towards younger audiences, well-nigh notably Stranger Things.

To coincide with the July 4th debut of the supernatural teen drama'south third flavour, Truth Initative is reporting that season 2 of the show marked a 44 percent increment in smoking depictions from the premiere flavor. In other words, in that location were 182 instances of smoking in season ane, while flavour two showed someone smoking 262 times.

Other Netflix shows mentioned in the report include Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, in which smoking depictions rose to 292 in season 3, up from season 2'south count of 9 and Orange is the New Black, the 4th and fifth seasons of whichsaw smoking depictions jump from 45 to 233.

"Netflix strongly supports artistic expression," a company spokesman told Variety of its decision to cut downward on smoking depictions in its content. "We also recognize that smoking is harmful and when portrayed positively on screen can adversely influence young people."

Truth Initiative'south written report too cited tobacco imagery in other youth-rated shows like Amazon Prime Video's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, ABC'south One time Upon a Fourth dimension and Modern Family unit and FX's American Horror Story.

"Content has go the new tobacco commercial," Robin Koval, president and CEO of Truth Initiative, said in a argument. "We're seeing a pervasive reemergence of smoking imagery across screens that is glamorizing and re-normalizing a mortiferous addiction and putting young people squarely in the crosshairs of the tobacco industry."

Image credit: Netflix

Via: Variety