Popeye to be given 18 certificate for smoking pipe

NHS managers at Liverpool's Primary Care Trust says its plans to ban the promotion of smoking in films, including cartoons, could mean problems for the spinach-loving sailor if he ever makes a return to the screen.
Other cartoon favourites including Bugs Bunny and Herman the smoking baby from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? could also end up adult-rated if they turn up in any new films.


A consultation on the plan is already underway but city leaders say they are sceptical that the proposals are no more than "censorship".
Cllr Paula Keaveney, Liberal Democrat executive member for ethical governance, said she had fully supported the smoking ban but there was "no rational argument" that children and young people are likely to be seduced by smoking seen in films.
"It strikes me this is just interfering with artistic product and censorship and it doesn't strike me that it will have the desired effect. I haven't taken to the hills and become a revolutionary since I saw the film about Che Guevara."
A city council document states that the proposal would not apply to films which portray historical figures who actually smoked, or those which provide a "clear and unambiguous portrayal of the dangers of smoking, other tobacco use, or second-hand smoke".
Mark Wallace, of lobby group the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "PCTs are meant to focus on healing people, not on arbitrating against thought crimes.
"People have enough trouble getting doctors' appointments and the treatment they need without taxpayers' money being squandered on the NHS regulating the cinema. This would be a ludicrous restriction on harmless films."
A PCT spokesman said: "The PCT's stance would be exactly the same whether it be a cartoon character or not. Therefore if a new film is produced featuring a character who smokes the PCT would want this film classified as an 18.
"All films featuring smoking we would request be classified in this way unless it was depicting the harmful effect on people's health." (from telegraph)

Oh boy, what next, no live tv coverage incase someone is seen smoking..lol

riducolous...

I agree entirely - I've been hooked on smoking a pipe since I first saw Popeye and Olive Oyle.....and Olive Oil come to that - shame on Disney for leading me astray - call me Van leuven I'm a suin' how much do you think I can get for 55 years worth of extreme addiction :-) to pipe smokin' and Olive Oil drinkin' ???? Also want to sue the estate of Audrey Hepburn....I thought if I smoked a ciggie in a long holder I'd end up looking just like her.....IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN!!!!! Sure there's a few others out there once I get myself a lawyer :-)