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New study: Movies makes teens smoke

Tobacco promotions of smoking in movies cause teenagers to start smoking according to a new study done by the USA National Cancer Institute. The report found the tobacco industry spent more than $13 billion on smoking-related advertising and promotion in 2005. The report found that even brief exposure to advertising influences adolescent attitudes. Three-quarters or more of hit movies depict cigarette smoking, and specific brands can be identified in about one third.
But the report found that mass media campaigns aimed at reducing smoking do work, especially when combined with other tobacco-control strategies.