WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chairman of the House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee, made the following statement in response to a letter from Mr. Henry Schleiff, President & CEO of Crown Media, owner of the Hallmark Channel:“I am pleased that Crown Media, operator of the Hallmark Channel, has joined Disney in announcing a commitment to discourage and eliminate further depictions of cigarette smoking in future movies. Given the devastating and entirely preventable public health consequences of cigarette smoking in our society, limiting or eliminating needless depictions of smoking, especially to youthful audiences, is a most welcome pledge. I commend CEO Henry Schleiff for his efforts in this area.

“I look forward to receiving further commitments from additional movie studios and prominent cable programmers to mitigate the effects of cigarette smoking through compelling anti-smoking PSAs in theaters and on DVDs, and pledges to discourage or eliminate smoking in movies, especially those rated or created for kids under 18.”

Earlier this week, Chairman Markey released an important commitment from the Disney Company regarding anti-smoking public service announcements and a pledge not to depict cigarette smoking in Disney-branded movies. Several weeks ago, Chairman Markey held a hearing on images children see on the screen, where he challenged the movie and television industries to take steps to address glamorized or pervasive depictions of smoking on the screen.

Letter from the Hallmark Channel to Chairman Markey