Ban on smoking in films would be ‘really ridiculous’

Some of the best-known Italian directors, producers and scriptwriters have put their names to a letter opposing a proposal to ban smoking from films and television, according to a Dpa story.

The group of 20 artists, including Oscar-winning directors Paolo Sorrentino and Gabriele Salvatores, wrote a letter to La Repubblica newspaper saying they felt they needed to express their ‘astonishment’ and ‘concern’ about the proposal.

They said any attempt to limit the possibility of representing people’s lives in film would be ‘really ridiculous’, and would amount to an interference with artistic freedom and liberal principles.

Last week, the ministry of health said it was considering regulating smoking scenes in films and national television series, as well as banning smoking in parks, stadiums and beaches, and in cars with children on board.