April 30, 2016

First Amendment invoked to push smoking at kids

Does the First Amendment allow Hollywood to shout "Smoke!" in a crowded theater? That’s what Hollywood's attorneys are apparently asking a judge to decide. It’s the film industry’s first official response to the national class-action lawsuit filed against the MPAA and its member companies in March 2016.

Read a summary of their legal logic in the entertainment industry trade journal The Hollywood Reporter posted shortly after the lawyers’ filing on 29 April 2016.

Better yet, read their actual filings, linked below and compare what they say (or don't say) in response to the facts presented in the plaintiff's case.

Invoking the First Amendment just to keep selling cigarettes to kids seems like overkill. Why don’t they just stop doing it?

Court Filings:

Defendants Motion to Dismiss

Defendants' request for court to take notice of Smoke Free Movies, Scenesmoking, and Common Sense Media Websites

Exhibit 1

Exhibit 2

Exhibit 3

NATO motion to dismiss