Disney CEO Robert Iger has stated flatly that all Disney animated film aimed at children will be forbidden from depicting smoking and furthermore films aimed at adults will “discourage” smoking. Whatever that means (all smoking characters will have bad coughs and be full of remorse?). This is a huge boost for the anti-smoking lobby and if films and TV have an effect on such behavior should help in some small way to reduce smoking?

Iger also announced that DVDs that they distribute will also feature a warning for content. Will they be like the infamous cigarette warning labels? Or will they be prominent?

As a non-smoker I am happy to see people discouraged from smoking, but I am not sure about the “discourage” announcement. I would think films aimed at adults to should be given creative freedom and if the characters needs to smoke. They should smoke.