Disney bans smoking in PG-13 films

Shown is Cruella De Vil in Disney's classic animated movie "101 Dalmations." Disney says it will ban cigarettes in all of its PG-13 films. (Photo: Walt Disney Productions)

Disney announced last week that it will no longer feature smoking in its future PG-13-rated productions.

The ban also applies to movies by Marvel, Pixar, and LucasFilm.

"We are extending our policy to prohibit smoking in movies across the board," Disney CEO Bob Iger told shareholders.

However, an exception will be made if a person depicted in film was a smoker in real life.

"For instance, we've been doing a movie on Abraham Lincoln, he was a smoker, and we would consider that acceptable," Iger said. "But in terms of any new characters that are created for any of those films, under any of those labels, we will absolutely prohibit smoking in any of those films."

One shareholder, Stanton Glantz , a University of California at San Francisco medicine professor, asked if banning smoking in rated R-films was also being considered.

"I think it would be a little bit presumptuous of me to commit to doing that today without getting a little bit more of a flavor or perspective on the dynamic that exists at the (Motion Picture Association of America) MPAA on the subject," Iger responded.

"I'm just not well versed in that. I don't know what positions the other studios have even taken about this."

He added that smoking in films accessible to minors is a "serious issue" that he would discuss with the MPAA.

Professor Glantz is one of the founders of lobby group Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights, and a renowned anti-smoking activist.

Disney has also been called to reform the depiction of circus animals in the upcoming live-action remake of "Dumbo." Animal rights advocacy group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have urged director Tim Burton to change the classic film's ending.

"We're hopeful that in your adaptation of 'Dumbo,' the young elephant and his mother can have a truly happy ending by living out their lives at a sanctuary instead of continuing to be imprisoned and abused in the entertainment industry," PETA vice president Lisa Lange wrote in an open letter.

Neither Burton nor Disney have publicly responded to the request.

News
Investigation launched into fire at west London church
Investigation launched into fire at west London church

Investigators are working to uncover the cause of a huge fire that tore through a derelict Methodist church in west London on Sunday night. 

Zia Yusuf says Reform would protect the UK's Christian heritage
Zia Yusuf says Reform would protect the UK's Christian heritage

Reform's home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, has said his party will protect Britain’s Christian heritage if it is voted into power at the next general election. 

Culture change needed to reduce gargantuan abortion numbers, says peer
Culture change needed to reduce gargantuan abortion numbers, says peer

Many women have abortions due to feelings of inadequacy, rather than financial concerns.

Bishop: 10 years on, concerns that led to Brexit have still not been addressed
Bishop: 10 years on, concerns that led to Brexit have still not been addressed

It's not the first time North has spoken of the disconnect between the Church and the working classes.