Association between Exposures of Smoking Scenes in Movies and Smoking Behavior among Korean Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide the preliminary data in order to develop strong and comprehensive tobacco control policies by analyzing the association between exposures of smoking scenes in movies and smoking behavior. The data was collected from a total of 1,075 high school and college students. The group exposed smoking scenes in the movie between 133 and 340 times was more likely to be current smokers, compared to the group exposed the scenes less than 50 times [odds ratio (OR) 38.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 15.4-97.3]. After adjusting the confounding factors which affect smoking behavior, exposure to smoking scenes in movies was a risk factor to current smoking status. There was the association between exposure of smoking scenes in movies and current smoking status among Korean adolescents and young adults. The study provides an important evidence to reinforce tobacco control policies for young people by banning the use of smoking scenes in movies targeting adolescents. The existing movie classification regulations should be revised and fully implemented to protect adolescents and young people from smoking scenes in movies.