Cigarettes in Popular Films Are Target of Health Groups

The NYT has piece on a summer public health campaign being led by the American Medical Association Alliance. “Which Movie Studios Will Cause the Most Youth to Start Smoking This Summer?" is designed to increase awareness of illegal product placement of tobacco products in movies and the impact that this product placement has on youth smoking. This movement is based on research led by Jim Sargent (Dartmouth). Dr. Sargent's research and the response to this research provide a fascinating look into inferring causality from correlational research.