Anti-smoking messages on DVDs, films sought

Attorneys general from Utah and across the nation have asked major motion picture studios to include anti-smoking messages in DVDs and videos that depict smoking.

Officials from 41 states, including Utah's Mark Shurtleff, sent a letter and three free public service announcements to Hollywood studios for voluntary inclusion in their products.

"We are seeking self-regulation by the movie industry instead of censorship or government interference," Shurtleff said in a statement Wednesday. "We would like to see film makers show that smoking isn't cool or sexy. Smoking stinks and it kills."

The letter is similar to one sent by Shurtleff and other attorneys general in November 2005. The studios did not respond at that time, but Motion Picture Association of America President Dan Glickman wrote back that only individual companies could decide whether to include the announcements in their videos and DVDs, according to the Utah Attorney General's Office.

Last week's letter, along with a copy of the earlier request, was sent to the CEOs of 10 major motion picture studios and the heads of three independent studios.