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Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
New Report Warns: Viral Smoking Imagery Could Undermine Youth Prevention Gains
Truth Initiative's seventh annual 'While You Were Streaming' report exposes the ongoing presence of tobacco in top shows, movies, and music videos WASHINGTON, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As youth e-cigarette use declines to the lowest in a decade — a hard-won public health victory — a new trend in pop culture threatens to reverse that progress. Smoking is once again being glamorized across entertainment and social media, with viral images of celebrities like Charli XCX and Jeremy Allen White lighting up. Truth Initiative's seventh annual While You Were Streaming report finds that smoking depictions in movies surged by 70% in 2023, and the number of movies depicting tobacco increased for the first time since 2020 — all while research shows that exposure to such imagery can triple a young person's odds of starting to vape nicotine. The report, titled 'Lights, Camera, Addiction: How Persistent On-Screen Tobacco Imagery Continues to Fuel Nicotine Addiction Among Young Audiences,' reveals that seven of the top 15 shows most popular among 15- to 24-year-olds in 2023 displayed tobacco. All but one of those shows have appeared in previous reports, including animated series like 'The Simpsons,' 'Family Guy,' and 'American Dad,' underscoring how tobacco imagery remains a persistent problem. The picture is even worse on the big screen, with the number of movies depicting tobacco increasing for the first time since 2020. And while the number of chart-topping songs featuring tobacco in music videos decreased from 2022, nearly one in four still included tobacco and collectively reached nearly five billion views on YouTube as of October 2024. The report comes at a moment when teen vaping has dropped to its lowest levels in a decade, an encouraging sign of progress. Yet data show that 20% of young adults are still at risk of a lifetime of nicotine addiction. The consequences of youth nicotine use are well documented: Nicotine can harm the developing adolescent brain, and nicotine addiction can increase stress and intensify symptoms of depression and anxiety. These risks are especially troubling amid the youth mental health crisis, as the latest CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows teen mental health has declined over the past decade. 'While youth vaping is down, on-screen tobacco imagery threatens to undo that progress,' said Dr. Jessica Rath, Senior Vice President, Truth Initiative Schroeder Institute. 'Young people deserve content and on-screen resources that support their well-being — not imagery that makes them more likely to start smoking or vaping.' Widespread tobacco imagery, often portrayed as edgy, rebellious, or cool, risks normalizing nicotine use and slowing the current positive momentum in prevention. In 2023 alone, nearly 17 million young people were exposed to streaming shows that featured tobacco. Research from Truth Initiative shows that the more young people see tobacco imagery while binge-watching, the more likely they are to report intentions to vape or smoke in the future. After years of declines, tobacco imagery is once again on the rise in popular films. It's been more than a decade since the U.S. Surgeon General concluded in 2012 that young people exposed to tobacco imagery in movies are significantly more likely to start smoking. Multiple studies have established that this response is also dose-dependent — meaning the more frequently young audiences see tobacco use on-screen, the more likely they are to initiate it themselves. The influence doesn't stop at shows and films. Tobacco imagery also appears in music videos — a format with massive reach and appeal among young audiences. 'The data are clear - tobacco imagery on screen causes tobacco initiation among youth and young adults. The entertainment industry has a choice. It can help protect an entire generation or continue to expose them to harmful images that make nicotine addiction more likely,' Rath said. 'Decision makers at all levels including policy, entertainment executives such as leaders of streaming platforms and broadcast networks, showrunners, directors, writers, actors, and music artists, have a role to play to help protect young people from a lifetime of addiction.' Truth Initiative calls for a comprehensive set of actions and policies to mitigate the harm of depicting tobacco onscreen, such as: To read the full report and list of entertainment industry recommendations, as well as for research methodology, visit About Truth Initiative Truth Initiative® is a national nonprofit public health organization committed to a future free from lifelong addiction, fostering healthier lives and a more resilient nation. Our mission is to prevent youth and young adult nicotine addiction and empower quitting for all. Through our evidence-based, market-leading cessation intervention, EX® Program, and national public education campaigns, we lead the fight against youth and young adult tobacco use. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Truth Initiative
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Black America Web
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
BET's Black + Iconic Soirée Celebrates Black LGBTQ+ Excellence [Photos]
Source:/ BET BET's Black + Iconic Soirée made a powerful Washington, D.C. debut during its third annual celebration, honoring the rich legacy and bright future of Black LGBTQ+ excellence. Read more about the event and check out a gallery of photos inside. Held under the 2025 theme 'Excellence Ascending,' the event spotlighted changemakers across activism, entertainment, and community who are leading with authenticity, purpose, and pride. Hosted by Access Hollywood anchor Scott Evans, the Soirée was a star-studded evening of storytelling, soulful performances, and impactful recognition. Ashlee Davis, J.D., who received the Executive Realness Award for her groundbreaking civil rights leadership across government and corporate spaces. Hope Giselle, awarded Emerging Leader for her tireless work uplifting Black trans visibility and inclusion. Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of the National LGBTQ Task Force, honored as Active Advocate for decades of reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Ashlee Marie Preston, acclaimed activist and strategist, who took home the Creative Visionary Award for using media to drive intergenerational change. Bob the Drag Queen, Emmy-winning performer and cultural force, accepted the Culture Trailblazer Award, delivering a stirring speech on identity and legacy. The evening also spotlighted grassroots impact. The Center for Black Equity and TAKE Resource Center each received $5,000 BET Thrive Fund grants for their continued work in advancing Black LGBTQ+ wellness and equity. Us Helping Us, a local D.C.-based health equity nonprofit, was granted a $5,000 donation from new partner Truth Initiative, marking a commitment to culturally relevant tobacco cessation programs. Broadway star Avery Wilson, fresh from The Wiz revival, delivered a show-stopping medley performance, while BET+ stars including Eva Marcille, Carter The Body, Bryan Terrell Clark, and Arrington Foster offered heartfelt tributes to the evening's honorees. 'This couldn't be just another event,' said Tiyale Hayes, BET's EVP of Insights and Multiplatform Analytics. 'It had to be an intentional space to uplift stories too often silenced.' With support from longtime partner Gilead Sciences and new ally Truth Initiative, the Soirée marked a cornerstone of BET's 45th anniversary, reinforcing its mission to celebrate Black culture and elevate LGBTQ+ voices. Stay tuned for the televised premiere date (to be announced at a later date) and relive the night via #BlackAndIconic across BET's official social platforms. BET's Black + Iconic Soirée Celebrates Black LGBTQ+ Excellence [Photos] was originally published on Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Source:BET Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump admin's FDA withdraws proposed federal rule to ban menthol cigarettes
The Trump administration's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally withdrew a proposed rule seeking to ban menthol cigarettes, after the Biden administration said it intended to make the ban become a reality after years of advocacy from anti-smoking groups. Efforts to ban menthol cigarettes have been ongoing for multiple administrations, but, in April 2021, the Biden administration's FDA announced plans to finalize the rule. The move was met with praise from anti-smoking advocates, such as the Truth Initiative, which argue that menthol in cigarettes makes them more addictive and disproportionately impacts minority communities. The Biden administration subsequently delayed implementation of the rule out of concern that more time was needed to consider public comments and concerns. Diet And Nutrition Experts Weigh In On How Rfk Jr's Nomination Could Impact How We Eat But a regulatory filing from President Donald Trump's Office of Management and Budget, which oversees the federal rulemaking process, slashed any hopes that the ban might come back any time soon. According to the filing, Trump moved to rescind the proposed rule during his first day in office. When reached for comment, the FDA cited an ongoing communications freeze imposed on all Health and Human Services Department sub-agencies. Read On The Fox News App Hhs Will Reevaluate Programs, Regulations To Ensure Taxpayer Funds Are Not Paying For Elective Abortions "It is deeply disappointing that the FDA's rule to prohibit menthol cigarettes was not finalized in a timely manner and has now been withdrawn," the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said in a statement. "We strongly support eliminating menthol cigarettes to end the tobacco industry's decades-long, predatory marketing of these deadly products to kids, Black Americans and other communities." The campaign said it will remain committed to building support to eliminate menthol cigarettes nationwide, noting "it is more critical than ever that states and cities step up their efforts to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products." Those challenging a menthol cigarette ban, meanwhile, argue the move could create a massive black market for cigarettes. People against the ban also fear the impact it could have on policing in minority communities. The Year In Cancer: Advances Made In 2024, Predictions For 2025 "Remember Eric Garner? New York City's exorbitant taxes on cigarette packages generated an underground market in untaxed individual cigarettes, called 'loosies.' In 2014, police infamously encountered 43-year-old Eric Garner selling loosies on a street corner, and a policeman's chokehold led to his death as he repeated 'I can't breathe.' And this happened without a menthol ban," Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Department of Health Studies, wrote after the Biden administration moved to finalize the ban. "With menthol cigarettes more prevalent among Black and Hispanic Americans, expect police to focus their attention on minority communities. This might make inequities in criminal justice even worse." While Trump signaled he is against banning menthol cigarettes, the president did act during his first term to ban most flavored e-cigarette pods used in disposable nicotine vapes. However, while the ban prohibited future sales of sweet- and fruit-flavored nicotine cartridges, it permitted continued sales of pods that are either menthol or tobacco flavored. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response by publication article source: Trump admin's FDA withdraws proposed federal rule to ban menthol cigarettes
Fox News
28-01-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Trump admin's FDA withdraws proposed federal rule to ban menthol cigarettes
The Trump administration's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally withdrew a proposed rule seeking to ban menthol cigarettes, after the Biden administration said it intended to make the ban become a reality after years of advocacy from anti-smoking groups. Efforts to ban menthol cigarettes have been ongoing for multiple administrations, but, in April 2021, the Biden administration's FDA announced plans to finalize the rule. The move was met with praise from anti-smoking advocates, such as the Truth Initiative, which argue that menthol in cigarettes makes them more addictive and disproportionately impacts minority communities. The Biden administration subsequently delayed implementation of the rule out of concern that more time was needed to consider public comments and concerns. But a regulatory filing from President Donald Trump's Office of Management and Budget, which oversees the federal rulemaking process, slashed any hopes that the ban might come back any time soon. According to the filing, Trump moved to rescind the proposed rule during his first day in office. When reached for comment, the FDA cited an ongoing communications freeze imposed on all Health and Human Services Department sub-agencies. "It is deeply disappointing that the FDA's rule to prohibit menthol cigarettes was not finalized in a timely manner and has now been withdrawn," the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said in a statement. "We strongly support eliminating menthol cigarettes to end the tobacco industry's decades-long, predatory marketing of these deadly products to kids, Black Americans and other communities." The campaign said it will remain committed to building support to eliminate menthol cigarettes nationwide, noting "it is more critical than ever that states and cities step up their efforts to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products." Those challenging a menthol cigarette ban, meanwhile, argue the move could create a massive black market for cigarettes. People against the ban also fear the impact it could have on policing in minority communities. "Remember Eric Garner? New York City's exorbitant taxes on cigarette packages generated an underground market in untaxed individual cigarettes, called 'loosies.' In 2014, police infamously encountered 43-year-old Eric Garner selling loosies on a street corner, and a policeman's chokehold led to his death as he repeated 'I can't breathe.' And this happened without a menthol ban," Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Department of Health Studies, wrote after the Biden administration moved to finalize the ban. "With menthol cigarettes more prevalent among Black and Hispanic Americans, expect police to focus their attention on minority communities. This might make inequities in criminal justice even worse." While Trump signaled he is against banning menthol cigarettes, the president did act during his first term to ban most flavored e-cigarette pods used in disposable nicotine vapes. However, while the ban prohibited future sales of sweet- and fruit-flavored nicotine cartridges, it permitted continued sales of pods that are either menthol or tobacco flavored. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
