While lewd sex and graphic language are no longer taboo in movies smoking soon will be. The MPAA has decided to begin giving movies that feature smoking a higher rating than those that don't.

The MPAA says that for the first time film depictions of cigarette smoking will number among criteria used by its ratings board to determine how a movie is rated.

Anti-tobacco lobbyists have been pressing for an automatic "R" rating for films with smoking scenes, but MPAA chairman-CEO Dan Glickman on Thursday rejected that proposal and said a more nuanced policy will be implemented.

I've long felt that the PG-13 rating and a crack down on kids sneaking into R-rated movies by theater owners has ruined Hollywood. It seems like 11 out of 12 movies are rated PG-13, and R-rated flicks are routinely cut down to receive a PG-13 rating.

Economics rule the day and if Hollywood can make more money with PG-13 films than R films, they're going to do it. Personally, I think movie makers should be as realistic as possible and not compromise artistic principles.

Could you imagine Pulp Fiction without Bad Motherfucker Samuel L. Jackson? How about a Winston Churchill biopic receiving an R rating because of Churchill's prominent cigar, or filmmakers removing the cigar altogether? (I mean, they're called Churchills.) The MPAA policy change means that smoking may soon disappear from movies.

What's next? Fast food?