Will Scotland Ban Smoking…In Films?
The UK has an odd system for classifying films - individual local authorities can still decide whether to show a film and how it is classified. While the British Board of Film Classification classifies all films, a local authority can overule it, as happened recently when two local authorities overruled the BBFC’s 18 certificate for This is England and reduced it to 15.
Now an intriguing answer by the SNP’s health minister at the end of May has started a debate in Scotland - will the Scottish Executive give 18 certificates to any film that glamourises smoking? Read the answer (below) and you will see that this is not what the Minister says - but she certainly indicates that smoking could be a factor when deciding how to classify a film. Just think - our grandchildren may not see a Bogart film until they turn 18!
Mr Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government about of raising the classification to 18 of any film which shows people smoking and has an under-18 viewing certificate.
|
(S3W-120) |
Shona Robison: The Scottish Executive recognises that images of smokers featured in films, TV and magazines may influence young people to smoke. In developing our longer term national smoking prevention strategy, therefore, we will work with the UK Government and other devolved governments to explore ways to reduce positive and increase negative images of smoking in the media. It does not seem unreasonable for issues relating to film classification to form part of these considerations.
Nick said on July 12th, 2007 at 4:28 am:
Dear Ed,
Re this, I see you voted against the smoking ban (thanks!) and I wonder if you can help settle an argument - it’s widely stated on the internet that MPs can still smoke in the House of Commons bar. I’ve been trying desperately to find out if its true but can’t find a reliable source. In the media I keep seeing two contradictory claims: 1. no, MPs can only smoke on outdoor terraces and 2. yes, there are four indoor smoking areas including enclosed bars and a smoking room. Could you tell me which if either is true or what the real case is? I would be eternally grateful as it’s driving me mad not to be able to find out the simple truth behind the rumour.
Ed Vaizey said on July 12th, 2007 at 9:14 am:
You cannot smoke inside the Palace of Westminster. You can smoke on the terrace (outside) and at three other designated outside smoking points. Even with this, a Labour and Lib Dem MP are calling on smoking to be banned outside as well!!
The confusion arises, I think, from the fact that Royal Palaces were exempted from the ban, and Parliament is technically a Royal Palace. BUt even so, the smoking ban does apply to Parliament, by order of the House authorities.
Nick said on July 13th, 2007 at 12:58 am:
Thankyou Ed! That may partially mollify the huddled masses outside my local tomorrow. I hope the Labour and Lib Dem MPs in question trip over their faces and bruise themselves. Many thanks for gratifying my curiosity anyway.