http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory. ... 400&vsv=94
Rajni tops the smoker's list
Saturday, 31 May , 2003, 09:18
By Moviebuzz
Good guys on our screen are lighting up cigarettes more than ever before, according to a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
WHO’s survey of 395 Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films between 1991-2003 showed that on screen smoking has gone up from 22-53 percent in the last 10 years. And the biggest offenders who top the chart in "promoting smoking" especially among youth are Shahrukh Khan and our own Rajnikanth! According to the survey, both the stars command a large fan following and their actions weird much influence.
The study has gained significance in view of this year's theme- "Tobacco-free films& tobacco-free fashion"- for World No Tobacco Day, today (May 31). Tobacco addiction is the most difficult addictions to give up. The study has named Shah Rukh Khan and Rajnikanth as the top two "influencial" stars and it has suggested that stars "kick the habit in their film".
The study shows that the teens who watch movies containing smoking are three times more likely to try out smoking. And those whose favourite hero smokes on screen are 16 times more likely to have positive attitudes toward smoking!
[anyone remember that picture of SRK signing autographs for some children with a cigarette dangling from his mouth?]
Edited By DragunR2 on 1054434796