Warner Bros. understands that entertainment programming has an impact on habits and culture. Without curtailing artistic freedom, we are sensitive to the impact of the films and television programs we produce.
Warner Bros. adopted the Time Warner Tobacco Depiction Policy in 2005, and the policy is now included in the Feature Production Manual for our filmed entertainment division.
Beginning with films released in theaters after January 1, 2008, Time Warner companies have included an anti-smoking public service announcement on all North American standard definition DVDs that depict tobacco products. In addition, any film on DVD depicting tobacco will contain the following certification language in the end credits: “No person or entity associated with this film received payment or anything of value, or entered into any agreement, in connection with the depiction of tobacco products.”
In 2005, Warner Bros. began tracking of tobacco depictions in our films in detail. Some highlights of our performance to date include:
- Since the policy was implemented in 2005, no G-rated films have contained tobacco products, and no G or PG-rated film since 2008 has contained any tobacco depictions.
- We have achieved a 95% reduction in total tobacco depictions since policy implementation in 2005.
- There has been a 96% decrease in tobacco incidents in youth-rated films since policy implementation in 2005.