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Most parents feel safe when their children watch “G” and “PG” rated films.

A recent study published in the January 2008 issue of Pediatrics looked at 2,499 children between the ages of 9 and 12 years of age in New Hampshire and Vermont. I read the Longitudinal Study of Viewing Smoking in Movies and Initiation of Smoking by Children and want to share the results with you.

Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School concluded that children’s exposure to cigarette smoking in “G”, “PG”, and “PG-13” rated movies strongly encouraged children in that age group to try smoking themselves. If you would like to read this study yourself, you can go to: www.pediatrics.aapublications.org/cgi/cont/short/121/1/15.

The children in this study were followed for 2 years. While it is understandable that 21 percent of smoking instances would be found in “R” rated films, it was shocking to find a huge magnitude of 60 percent were found in PG13 films. Another 19 percent were found in “G” and “PG” rated films.

“Researchers found that early exposure to smoking in movies had as much influence on kids lighting up their first cigarette as recent viewing. Thus, kids who as preschoolers see smoking in a movie have as much chance of beginning smoking, as those of their friends who view smoking in movies at a later age.” This is very frightening information.

While this is the first study to enroll children in elementary school age and to measure movie smoking exposure, it surely indicates that early exposure has had as much influence on kids smoking their first cigarette as did exposure for those at a later age. Researchers found that early exposure to cigarette smoking in movies may be as responsible for at least one third of smoking initiation for children in this age group.

It is because cigarette smoking can kill, that I bring this to your attention. We cannot be too cautious of what our children or grandchildren are watching on TV. It is important that we keep an eye on what our little ones are seeing.

If you have ever smoked and have successfully quit, you know how difficult that nicotine habit is. If you are still smoking, you definitely know what I am referring to. After all, why are you still smoking when you know it can kill you? Smoking is banned in all public places and restaurant.

Let’s focus now on some of the reasons people smoke or continue to smoke. Research shows that approximately 90 percent of the people began smoking around the time they were 18 years of age or earlier.

Many have shared that they began smoking because they wanted to impress someone. They thought they looked more mature or sexier with a cigarette. That is not as impressive today because of the public ban on smoking.

Some started smoking just to experiment and got hooked. They saw their parents and friends smoking and thought it looked cool. Until now, it doesn’t look so cool.

Some others began smoking out of defiance, perhaps out of anger due to problems at school or within the family.

Others claim they need or needed the cigarette to calm down. They believe they are too nervous and can’t relax. They state they have always been ‘high-strung’ and a cigarette stabilizes them. However, there are better and safer ways to relax.

Basically, smoking is as much a psychological satisfaction as well as a physiological satisfaction.

Basically, most people see smoking as fulfilling a need; a need to be with a friend, to not be alone. I remember the day I said good-bye to my friend, my cigarette, 39 years ago today. It was hard to do, but I am glad I did. We did not know all the health factors then that we know today.

I help many people quit smoking in my office. I have had many recovering alcoholics and drug addicts who have said getting free of the nicotine habit is the hardest addiction they have met.

Parents, please do your best to protect your young children and be observant of what they are viewing on your TV screen.

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Carolyn Katchmar is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, a certified addictions professional in Florida and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Address questions to Ethics & Civility, Marco Eagle, P.O. Box 579, Marco Island, FL 34146. Katchmar also can be reached at ckharper@comcast.net.