The lawmakers referenced 'repeated shots of celebrities smoking e-cigarettes' in their letter. | POLITICO Screen grab Dems hit Golden Globe e-cigarettes

A group of four Democratic senators are taking aim at both NBC Universal and the Hollywood Foreign Press for the “notable displays of e-cigarette use” during Sunday’s broadcast of the Golden Globes.

In a letter sent Tuesday to both the CEO of NBC Universal and the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) expressed concern.


“We are troubled that these images glamorize smoking and serve as celebrity endorsements that could encourage young fans to begin smoking traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes,” the senators wrote in the letter.

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The senators referenced the opening monologue, which includes a joke that featured a shot of actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus smoking an e-cigarette and said there were “repeated shots of celebrities smoking e-cigarettes.”

The group asked NBC Universal and the HFPA to ensure that future broadcasts do not intentionally feature the image of e-cigarettes.

“Such action would help to avoid the glamorization of smoking and protect the health of young fans,” the letter said.