There has been no corresponding decline in the movies. Smoking in movies didn't decline during the period even after tobacco companies vowed to quit paying filmmakers to feature their brands. In another recent study by the American Journal of Public Health, the main character smoked in 57 percent of the films. While movie smoking once was largely restricted to gangsters, gamblers and alcoholics, films in the past 10 years have shown an increasing number of healthy young characters puffing away for no reason relative to the plot. But that just doesn't happen in real life.
People have to go outside.
Smoking in society is not seen as desirable. After a congressional investigation prompted by complaints from ASH, tobacco companies in 1989 voluntarily agreed to discontinue paying for placement of their products in movies. ASH successfully argued that the practice constitutes a form of advertising and thus requires an accompanying congressionally mandated health warning. Nevertheless, the practice continues. Government restrictions say nothing about preventing other crew members benefiting from making sure cigarettes make it into a scene.