Smoking in the Movies

I was pleased to find that I am not the only one who has observed an increase in the number of persons smoking in films and TV shows too (“More Smokers in Movies Than in Reality, Study Says,” Nov. 12).

I am displeased and concerned that so many TV programs and movies have episodes including smoking when it is not of historical nature. I’ve kept a partial log of TV programs since January. Some of the offenders are “Civil Wars,” “Angie’s,” “Reasonable Doubts,” “Hearts of Fire,” and “Mad About You.”

Since smoking has finally become a socially negative behavior, I have to believe that the tobacco industry is somehow involved in reversing the trend that has occurred in TV programs and the movies.

Not only are children influenced by what they see, I think adults get brainwashed too. On some of these programs there was a weak attempt to criticize the smoker or stop the smoking.

How do we viewers let the producers know that we don’t like the message being sent?

JOANNE WILNER

West Covina