Because tobacco companies can't advertise on TV, they promote their products however they can—in this case, through film and TV, where tobacco use appears to be common, safe and cool. Hello, they're actors. So let's get real: Most Americans don't smoke; smoking causes or aggravates just about every physical evil you can imagine; and reeking of smoke or talking with tobacco breath isn't cool, it's ugly. A cigarette used on screen is a cleverly disguised ad for smoking. Don't be a stunt man for the tobacco industry. There won't be a happy ending.

Teens whose favorite stars smoke are 1 1/2 times more likely to be smokers themselves.

Roughly one-third of all movies contain cigarette brand appearances that are placed as advertisements.