Apparently the fine folks over at Disney have decided that the new policy is to avoid depictions of cigarette smoking in their movies, because, of course, smoking is very bad for you.
Disney has made a commitment to Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee, that it will discourage depictions of cigarette smoking in its movies.
Mouse House will also place an antismoking PSA on DVDs of any future film that does depict smoking, as well as work with theater owners to encourage the exhibition of an antismoking PSA before the theatrical exhibition of any such film.
In a letter sent to Markey, Disney prexy-CEO Robert Iger wrote, "The Walt Disney Co. shares your concern regarding deaths due to cigarette smoking. We discourage depictions of cigarette smoking in Disney, Touchstone and Miramax films. In particular, we expect that depictions of cigarette smoking in future Disney-branded films will be nonexistent."
Huzzah! Whee! The horrible scourge of cigarette smoking that has plagued our nation will now be nipped in the bud, thanks to Disney's "discouraging" depictions of smoking! I'm told that old versions of
101 Dalmations will be edited so that Cruella de Ville is only seen gnawing on a carrot.
While you're at it, if you could go to the trouble of "discouraging" depictions of, you know, violence and murder, that would be awesome. What's that? Miramax and Touchstone couldn't possibly survive without depictions of violence and murder? Gotcha. Just swat the easy stuff and pretend you're making a difference.
