Nebraska AG Says Streaming Video Should Protect Young Viewers From Tobacco Use

Lincoln – A bipartisan coalition of 43 attorneys general, co-led by Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, is urging the streaming industry to limit tobacco use in their video content. 

Due to the growing use of tobacco products amongst teens, the attorneys general are urging the streaming industry to take proactive steps to protect the lives of young viewers.

 “Those on the front lines with Nebraska’s children in classrooms and schools express to me their ongoing concern of the rise of tobacco use by their students. Today’s pronouncement demonstrates strong and broad support by attorneys general in asking an industry that our youth not be targeted,” Peterson said in a news release. 

Recommendations include eliminating or excluding tobacco imagery in streamed content for young viewers, “recommending” or designating only tobacco-free content for youth and families, improving parental controls and mitigating the negative influence of imagery.

The letter is the latest action to curb the use of tobacco and its marketing to youth via popular media. The 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which settled litigation brought against tobacco manufacturers, prohibits those manufacturers from targeting youth through ads and promotions.  

“Video streaming companies have an opportunity to succeed in entertaining young people, while protecting them from the dangers of tobacco use. We hope this letter is the first communication in an ongoing discussion regarding the critical role streaming companies can play in the fight against the renormalization and glamorization of tobacco use,” the letter concludes.

– Nebraska Attorney General’s Office