Nerdy Science Blog

An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counselled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.

From: Motion Picture Association of America

A four-year study of 1,246 sixth-grade students in Massachusetts conducted by researchers from University of Massachusetts Medical School showed that kids who watched R-rated movies during youth are more likely to smoke.  The data was derived from second Development and Assessment of Nicotine Dependence in Youth, and the individuals were interviewed 11 times from 2002 to 2006.

Researchers suggested that these kids had the parental permission of the smoking activities, which influenced them to smoke as strong as having friends that smoke.  It was also suggested that the smoking scenes in the movies may play a role in their smoking behaviour.  The impression that cigarettes are easy to obtain in youth is more likely to cause them to smoke.

The study was published in recent issue of American Journal of Preventive Medicine.  The authors are Chyke A. Doubeni, Wenjun Li, Hassan Fouayzi and Joseph R. DiFranza.  The study was funded by the Substance Abuse Policy Research Program (SAPRP) of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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