Media release
The Simpsons and smoking
A study of smoking in the long running TV show The Simpsons
has researchers concerned that the animated series may prompt children to consider smoking at an early age.
The research, reported in the Medical Journal of Australia, found The Simpsons, rated as one of the most popular TV shows in history, included a large number of instances of smoking.
Researchers Dr Guy Eslick, an International Fellow of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and the American Cancer Society and Honorary Associate of the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health, and Marielle Eslick, took in 400 episodes of the first 18 seasons.
“We recorded 795 instances of smoking or references to smoking. More than half (498/62%) involved male characters, 156 (20%) involved female characters, only 16 (2%) involved both sexes and 125 (16%) involved non-gender characters, like animals,” Dr Eslick said.
“The fact that most instances of smoking involved males was not surprising as two thirds of the characters are male.
“Smoking was reflected in a positive way in 16 cases (2%), and in a negative way in 275 (35%) of cases. Most instances were considered neutral (504/63%).
“The most notable characters who smoked were Marge Simpson’s sisters Patty and Selma, Krusty the Clown and Bart’s school teacher Mrs Krabappel. The show’s most prolific smokers, Patty and Selma, started smoking as teenagers causing their raspy voices – as seen in Season 2.
“An important finding was that instances of smoking with a negative impact occurred much more often in child and adolescent characters than among the adult characters.
“Yet even instances of smoking being reflected in a negative way, particularly among younger characters, could have an impact on prompting children to smoke cigarettes.”
The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.
CONTACT:
Dr Guy Eslick 0011 1 161 7432 5896 / 0415 058 232
The research, reported in the Medical Journal of Australia, found The Simpsons, rated as one of the most popular TV shows in history, included a large number of instances of smoking.
Researchers Dr Guy Eslick, an International Fellow of the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and the American Cancer Society and Honorary Associate of the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health, and Marielle Eslick, took in 400 episodes of the first 18 seasons.
“We recorded 795 instances of smoking or references to smoking. More than half (498/62%) involved male characters, 156 (20%) involved female characters, only 16 (2%) involved both sexes and 125 (16%) involved non-gender characters, like animals,” Dr Eslick said.
“The fact that most instances of smoking involved males was not surprising as two thirds of the characters are male.
“Smoking was reflected in a positive way in 16 cases (2%), and in a negative way in 275 (35%) of cases. Most instances were considered neutral (504/63%).
“The most notable characters who smoked were Marge Simpson’s sisters Patty and Selma, Krusty the Clown and Bart’s school teacher Mrs Krabappel. The show’s most prolific smokers, Patty and Selma, started smoking as teenagers causing their raspy voices – as seen in Season 2.
“An important finding was that instances of smoking with a negative impact occurred much more often in child and adolescent characters than among the adult characters.
“Yet even instances of smoking being reflected in a negative way, particularly among younger characters, could have an impact on prompting children to smoke cigarettes.”
The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.
CONTACT:
Dr Guy Eslick 0011 1 161 7432 5896 / 0415 058 232