Tom and Jerry smoking scenes to be edited out
Cartoon duo Tom and Jerry have been investigated by media watchdogs for lighting up on screen.
In one episode, Tom smoked a roll-up cigarette in a bid to impress a female cat.
In another, Tom’s opponent in a tennis match was seen smoking a large cigar.
A viewer complained about the cartoons aired on children’s channel Boomerang, saying they were not appropriate for young viewers.
Media regulator Ofcom investigated and the channel agreed to edit out scenes in future which glamorise or condone smoking.
“We recognise that these are historic cartoons, most of them having been produced in the ’40s, ’50s or ’60s, at a time when smoking was more generally accepted,” Ofcom ruled.
“We note that, in Tom and Jerry, smoking usually appears in a stylised manner and is frequently not condoned.
“However, while we appreciate the historic integrity of the animation, the level of editorial justification required for the inclusion of smoking in such cartoons is necessarily high.”
