(Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - Netflix is changing its rating policy for shows that depict smoking.
The decision comes after The Truth initiative released a report finding the streaming platform's original shows depicted smoking three times as much as last year.
On KDKA Radio, Kathryn Hartman with Tobacco Free Southwest Pennsylvania tells Lynne Hayes-Freeland it's a positive move:
“The U.S. Surgeon General found that those higher levels of exposure to tobacco use in movies are twice as likely to smoke compared to those with less exposure,” said Hartman.
Hartman adds almost 40 percent of young smokers start by seeing it on a screen.
“Studies estimate that that exposure to tobacco use in movies is responsible for 37 percent of smoking initiation among young smokers.”