Just recently, a friend of mine from the US told me that smoking is very 'un-cool' there, his words not mine. According to him, most Americans are pretty much against smoking, even among the younger generations. I was surprised.

Because also, just recently, I watched George Clooney's 'Good Night and Good Luck'. And it seemed like everybody smoked. That triggered a curious thought. Not only in that film, but also in most American films, smoking has always been acceptable and in a lot of cases, cool as it is usually linked to the main characters of the film - think Constantine.

So this got me thinking. Have the tobacco companies resorted to financing Hollywood films (at least partially) in exchange for the ability to brainwash audiences into thinking that smoking is cool? I believe so. It seemed so obvious but the way they are doing it is so subtle it's almost beautiful, in a marketing sort of way. No name branding, no logos, nothing to infer any sort of product placement. Subliminal advertising at its best.

I am neither for or against this nor do I claim this as fact. Merely just pointing out an interesting observation I made. The rest is for you to decide on your own. Good night, and good luck.