Popeye can't puff in front of kids anymore!

London, June 24 (ANI): Popeye can no longer puff his pipe in front of kids, for the classic cartoon hero has been hit with an 18 certificate thanks to his smoking habit.

Barmy health chiefs fear the sailor man may promote smoking habits amongst children.

Liverpool's Primary Care Trust were also looking to gag other cartoons including Bugs Bunny, Betty Boop and even Tom and Jerry if they were seen promoting the unhealthy habit in new films.

"If a new film is produced with a character who smokes, we would classify it as an 18," The Daily star quoted a Trust spokesman as saying.

"We would request all films featuring smoking be classified in this way unless it was depicting the harmful effect on health," the spokesman added.

Critics have dubbed the move as "laughable" and without reason that films would make kids smoke.

Lib-Dem councillor Paula Keaveney, who though backed the ban, said: "I haven't taken to the hills and become a revolutionary since I saw the film about Che Guevara."

And a furious senior council executive added: "This is exactly the overstepping of the mark which turns local government into a laughing stock." (ANI)