They found that 68 percent of them depicted at least one incident of smoking or drinking. Good characters indulged as often as villains. About 1 in 3 high school seniors smokes or drinks, and movies can make both behaviors seem cool. But seeing is not believing. Scores of studies indicate that having parents, peers, or siblings who use alcohol or tobacco is the biggest factor in influencing children to experiment.
Kids have almost universally negative attitudes toward smoking and drinking until sixth grade.
Tot-friendly ratings may help parents feel less like dumbos. But overly benign fare could tempt many to replay the classics. Here's looking at you, kids.