Disney bans smoking in its movies

The Walt Disney Co. has banned all depictions of smoking in its family-oriented branded films. It would also "discourage" it in films distributed by its Touchstone and Miramax labels, according to a Reuters report.

Disney chief executive Robert Iger reportedly said in a letter to US Rep. Edward Markey, whose committee last month held hearings on the effects of movie images on children, that the studio would place anti-smoking public service announcements (PSAs) on DVDs of any future films that feature cigarette smoking.

He said the company would also encourage theater owners to show on screen anti-smoking public service announcements, or PSAs, before such films, adds the report.