Netflix pledges to cut back on depictions of smoking in original productions

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

According to a new report from the anti-smoking group Truth Initiative, depictions of tobacco on television have increased considerably over the past year, and it seems that the second season of Netflix's Stranger Things was one of the biggest offenders. Shame on you, Sheriff Hopper.

Truth Initiative has stated that the second season of Stranger Things saw a 44% increase in depictions of smoking when compared to the series' first season, raising from 182 depictions in season 1 to 262 in season 2. Recent seasons of other Netflix shows were culprits as well, with Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt raising from 9 tobacco depictions to 292, Orange is the New Black going from 45 tobacco depictions to 233, and House of Cards raising from 41 depictions to 54. Data from the Office of the Surgeon General has found that young people who have the highest exposure to movies which depict smoking are almost twice as likely to begin smoking as those with the least exposure. "Content has become the new tobacco commercial," said Robin Koval, CEO/president of Truth Initiative. "We’re seeing a pervasive reemergence of smoking imagery across screens that is glamorizing and re-normalizing a deadly addiction and putting young people squarely in the crosshairs of the tobacco industry." In a statement, Netflix has pledged that it will take actions to inform and protect viewers on the dangers of smoking.

Netflix strongly supports artistic expression. We also recognize that smoking is harmful and when portrayed positively on screen can adversely influence young people. Going forward, all new projects that we commission with ratings of TV-14 or below for series or PG-13 or below for films, will be smoking and e-cigarette free — except for reasons of historical or factual accuracy. For new projects with higher ratings, there’ll be no smoking or e-cigarettes unless it’s essential to the creative vision of the artist or because it’s character-defining (historically or culturally important). In addition, starting later this year, smoking information will be included as part of our ratings on the Netflix service so our members can make informed choices about what they watch.

Netflix's pledge doesn't go nearly as far as Disney's near total ban on smoking, but we're sure to notice a little less tobacco in future Netflix productions. What are your thoughts on Netflix's statement?