Smoking is a common feature in the world of film – and it is not appreciated by Lennart Jonsson, group leader of the Sweden Democrats in Mölndal, who believes that it can lead to a deterioration in public health.
During a question session in the regional council held at the end of October, Jonsson raised the question, which was addressed to Michael Melby (S), chairman of Film i Väst. On Tuesday, attention was drawn to Jonsson’s proposal in a culture column in GP.
Jonsson thinks that smoking in films should be okay, but only if it can be justified as necessary for the plot.
– It is a very big source of ill health. Throwing in a cigarette randomly without it adding to the story I think is wrong. So I wanted to ask the question to try to discuss and get the film companies to reduce smoking in their productions, he now tells TV4 Nyheterna.
“Not reasonable”
Michael Melby disagrees with Jonsson – and raises the principle of arm’s length distance between politics and culture.
– Culture and art should not be intruded upon. Not as a politician and not as a company either. We do not control how directors and screenwriters tie it together, he tells TV4 Nyheterna.
Lennart Jonsson believes that the principle is already being undermined in other aspects.
– We shouldn’t control the content, but as a politician you have to be able to point out to think about something that is not good. After all, we have requirements regarding the environment and environmental adaptation, it also means pointing with the whole hand and losing an arm’s length away.
Lennart Jonsson comes with the proposal to put a warning text on films where there is smoking. But that’s not a good option either, says Melby.
– I don’t think it’s reasonable, where should we draw the line then? What is dangerous and what should be warned about, violence and other things are depicted in films, should there be warning text for everything?
The tip: See Alien or Dallas
But there are some productions that are smoke-free, which is recommended by Jonsson. Among these is the latest “Alien” film – and a classic long-distance runner.
– Take, for example, “Dallas”, which ran in the 70s, there was no smoking and no drugs. You don’t have to smoke for a movie or series to be good.