Electronic cigarettes have no place among the glitz and glamour of the Golden Globes, according to some politicians on Capitol Hill.
A group of Democratic senators are asking NBC Universal and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to avoid the "glamorization" of smoking e-cigarettes in future broadcasts of the Golden Globes.
In a letter from Senators Dick Durbin, Richard Blumenthal, Sherrod Brown, and Ed Markey on Thursday, the senators wrote, "Unfortunately, this year, many young viewers saw notable displays of e-cigarette use through the awards show... We are troubled that these images glamorize smoking and serve as celebrity endorsements that could encourage young fans to begin smoking."
During Sunday night's award show opening monologue, Veep actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus was seen smoking an e-cigarette as hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler mocked that she was too cool to sit with the other television actors.
In September, the same group of senators was joined by nine members of Congress calling for regulations on the sale of e-cigarettes to teenagers under the age of 18. The companies may also advertise on radio and television, give out free samples, and add fruit flavors to their products--all qualities the lawmakers say make the “addictive” product appealing to children.
Neither the Hollywood Foreign Press Association or NBC Universal has publicly responded.