Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1st, 2015)

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Smoking Banned In Marvel Studios Movies | Comicbook.com

Walt Disney Studios CEO announced during a shareholder meeting held on Thursday that he would not allow smoking in any Disney films rated PG-13 or below, including Marvel Studios movies, unless there was a compelling historical reason for it. This is an extension of an old policy that Disney has had for quite some time, but it's interesting to note that it's influence is spreading.

For the most part, this will go unnoticed. None of the major stars of Marvel's films are known for smoking, keeping line with the “no smoking” edict laid down in the comics by Marvel Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics.

Still, healthcare professional Gina Schuler tells the Wrap that 43 percent of Marvel's movies – which typically carry the very profitable PG-13 rating – featured smoking of some kind. Looks like that will change going forward.

There goes J. Jonah Jameson's cigars.

 

[karamazov80]

I'm glad they're doing that. Tobacco is a ****ing bane on the planet and should be eradicated by any possible means.

 

[a-dev]

I sell it, one of the main products in the business I'm in but yeah, it does. It's ****ing gross, to say nothing of it's actual health implications.

 

[karamazov80]

They're incredibly addictive and incredible destructive. I've seen it first hand with my family, suffering through various lung ailments like emphysema, and it contributed to my dad having a minor stroke. I also get an instant migraine headache if I smell cigarette smoke. But the way things are moving, they will be history soon enough, at least in the developed world. But I'm sure those jackals on the executive boards of cigarette companies will continue making money hand over fist in parts of Africa, Asia, Eastern and Central Europe, and Latin America.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

I don't smoke, but I think it's silly to get rid of smoking from films and tv shows. It's like trying to ignore something that a lot of people do...why hide it? They might as well hide sex, drinking, or anything that can be bad for you or kill you, like fast food

 

[karamazov80]

The obvious reason is that they are trying to restrict kids' exposure to it. It's not nearly as common as it was even when I was a kid. And seeing it in a movie targeting kids like the comic movies could lead to kids thinking it is socially acceptable or trying to emulate that behavior.

 

[bransen2099]

In Hawaii there's a smoking ban, no one within 20ft of windows and doors of building can smoke. They can only smoke in designated areas and if the establishments allow it.

I hardly see people smoke. They're all doing the e-cig thing and I think it's a much better trade off.

And I applaud this move. Hate smoking myself.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

The obvious reason is that they are trying to restrict kids' exposure to it. It's not nearly as common as it was even when I was a kid. And seeing it in a movie targeting kids like the comic movies could lead to kids thinking it is socially acceptable or trying to emulate that behavior.

I've always felt that restricting or banning something creates more interest and curiosity. I'm not saying that they should show Ultron riding a camel and smoking a huge cigar, but with shows like Agent Carter or any other story that takes place in a different time period, it would be silly to hide the smoking, imo. Not to mention, the characters like Fury or Wolverine, who are known for their smoking. I'm in my 30's and I've never smoked anything, yet I grew up watching cartoons, tv shows, and movies with characters that were smokers. I was told it was bad for my health, and that was good enough for me. They might as well banned alcohol too...I mean, little Jimmy might start drinking after watching good old Tony drinking in Avengers.

 

[SteveU30]

The vast majority of smokers take up the habit in their teens so it makes sense to limit kids exposure to it.

Here in the UK the government has banned smoking in all indoor public places, banned advertising, made shops/stores hide tobacco products from display, have just passed a law to make it illegal to smoke in a car with kids in and are about to make all tobacco products have plain packets with just a health warning on it and the brand in basic font. They are now even trialling banning it in some outdoor areas like parks too. Because of all this, as with the mention of Hawaii above, a lot of people are now turning to e-cigarettes to try and kick the habit and there genuinely seems to be less people smoking than there was 10 years ago.

As an ex smoker myself I honestly feel there is no place for it in society anymore as it commonly leads to other addictions (believe me, I know).

Having people smoking on screen adds very little (if anything) to a story line so it's only a matter of time before the movie industry decides as a whole to widen the scope of what Disney is doing here!

*Rant over*

 

[bransen2099]

That was a good rant Steve
Didn't know UK was doing that, good for you guys

 

[GasparZizou]

Here in Mexico they're not banned, every establishment has the right to allow smoking or not within their facilities.

The only thing government does is put ****ed up statistics with ****ed up pictures on the cigs' packages so people I guess cringe a little when they buy it?

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Like I said, they might as well ban alcohol too...it's just as bad, if not worse, yet people don't mind how alcohol is glorified on tv, movies, and advertising It's hypocritical, imo.

It's not about the cigarettes, it's the idea of censorship or banning something that bothers me, just because there are some weak minded people out there that will do anything that they see in a movie, apparently Get rid of everything that can be a bad influence then, like violence and fighting...teens might do that too if they see it in a movie.

 

[SteveU30]

Like I said, they might as well ban alcohol too...it's just as bad, if not worse, yet people don't mind how alcohol is glorified on tv, movies, and advertising It's hypocritical, imo.

I hear ya, totally agree.

Just to add to my previous post though, I do think it's acceptable to portray tobacco, alcohol or drug abuse where it highlights the impact on the individual and the people around them. Films such as Trainspotting are masterpieces of how it can be done properly (albeit not a kids film I agree).

Anyway, this thread is going wildly off topic now so to right that wrong:

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS FILM TO BE OUT!!!!

 

[GasparZizou]

Yeah, censorship is lame, self censorship doe, dat ok.

 

[GasparZizou]

Just to add to my previous post though, I do think it's acceptable to portray tobacco, alcohol or drug abuse where it highlights the impact on the individual and the people around them. Films such as Trainspotting are masterpieces of how it can be done properly (albeit not a kids film I agree).

Wait, so, it's only ok to show that stuff if it shows how people get rekt by it?

I don't know about you, I don't smoke and don't like it, but Arnold sure looked cool smoking his cigar in Predator

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

I hear ya, totally agree.

Just to add to my previous post though, I do think it's acceptable to portray tobacco, alcohol or drug abuse where it highlights the impact on the individual and the people around them. Films such as Trainspotting are masterpieces of how it can be done properly (albeit not a kids film I agree).

Marvel was known for doing that in the comics by tackling subjects like alcoholism and the negative effects of using drugs. Tony Stark is the perfect example of that, and I'm surprised they touched that subject in the films yet.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Wait, so, it's only ok to show that stuff if it shows how people get rekt by it?

I don't know about you, I don't smoke and don't like it, but Arnold sure looked cool smoking his cigar in Predator

I was thinking the same thing Snake Plisken, Solid Snake, Wolverine and Clint Eastwood too And yet, I knew that it was something I shouldn't do because it was bad for my health.

 

[GasparZizou]

I was thinking the same thing Snake Plisken, Solid Snake, Wolverine and Clint Eastwood too And yet, I knew that it was something I shouldn't do because it was bad for my health.

Exactly, why? Because parents

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

Exactly, why? Because parents

Yup, or fear of dying My dad did the one of the greatest things for me when I was 9 years old. He gave me a glass of beer, when I asked him if I could have some. It was awful, it was warm and the flavor was terrible. I never drank alcohol again. He could have said, no you're too young, wait until you grow up, but he didn't lie or BS me about it, didn't hide it or shield me from it, and it worked. Maybe he got lucky For the record, he didn't drink either, but they were giving away free beer, so he had some that day.

 

[GasparZizou]

Ha! My dad did the same once..... But I do drink every now and then, because it's fun, and because **** midterms.

Aaaaanyway, so, Avengers huh?