Traffic

 

SmokeScreeners Rating:  

Year of Release: 2000

MPAA Rating: R

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Distributor: Universal Pictures

This film was reviewed by Dr. Barry Hummel of QDREF on July 28, 2013.

Additional Comments: "10 different actors account for 16 smoking incidents, including stars Benicio Del Toro (Best Supporting Actor for his role) and Don Cheadle.  There were also two scenes of Marlboro product placement, two years after Altria agreed to discontinue the practice in the the Master Settlement Agreement.  One might argue that tobacco use in the context of an R-rated movie about drug trafficking should be of little concern.  On the contrary, there were subtle references to alcohol use and addiction as a drug problem, but once again the film overlooked the impact of the tobacco, the most available gateway drug for youth."