California film subsidies and on-screen smoking: Resolving the policy conflict

摘要: Cumulative exposure to on-screen smoking is a major recruiter of new young smokers. Policy solutions—including R-rating films with tobacco imagery and making productions ineligible for public subsidies—are backed by health authorities in California worldwide. Exposure accounts nearly 100,000 current smokers aged 12-17. Total costs medical services this group, through age 50, are estimated at $1.6 billion (discounted present value). Two-thirds the cost will be borne government. Top-grossing made accounted one-third United States audience 2002-11. From mid-2009 2011, approved $374 million film television production subsidies, form tax credits. $128 was 27 feature films, released widely 2010-11, that achieved top-grossing status. Sixteen these featured imagery; $75 which $1.1 box office. More than two-thirds ($51 million) credits went PG-13 films. Nearly 80 percent (2 billion/2.5 billion) in-theater impressions delivered US Canada California-subsidized, came from rated PG-13. (The rest R-rated films.) Tobacco content varies company. Forty-four subsidies were reserved Sony Viacom (Paramount). Films two companies garnered 71 83 youth-rated (PG-13) tobacco. Of direct incurred teen recruited their imagery, $510 attributable adolescents’ California. If subsidy program continues pattern remains same as past, containing subsidized taxpayers contribute an 17,000 12-17 year old among next cohort California, who incur $270 smoking-induced costs. Public authorities, including Centers Disease Control Prevention, World Health Organization, director Los Angeles County’s Department Health, chair California’s Education Research Oversight Committee (TEROC) have highlighted policy contradiction between state prevention programs. The solution amend credit statute, adding following existing list disqualified eligibility subsidy: …any depicts or refers any product non-pharmaceutical nicotine delivery device its use, associated paraphernalia related trademarks promotional material. Such change would end practice paying commercial subvert important goal reducing youth consequent costs, many public.