Should we regulate smoking in movies?

Surely to censor smoking in movies on the basis that such an act could impinge on our freedom/rights as individuals has to be the closest thing to idiocy I’ve ever encountered. Dear Simon, the minute cameras were set on street scenes, freeways and every other area of big brother(ism?) and revenue raising traffic violations was the minute we lost all our rights to privacy/individualism pata ti pata ta. Why TF does every moralizing do-gooder always screech for action in the name of our children? Kiddie Widdies, teen-agers, and babies. These specious arguments appeal to fellow wowzers and bible belt voters whilst alienating people like me. Your ranting in the name of citizen’s rights proves nothing beyond the fact that yet another segment of the community is yelling for censorship.
Regrettably, I am on the same side of the fence as you. I say regrettably with feeling. Why the moralizing? It’s analogous to saying that health notices on cigarette packs impinge on the rights of individuals.
The simple reason that I’m against fudging over, (pixilating) the smoking scenes is because kids are determined to do life their way. They have to learn by their mistakes just like we did, But the way the moral brigade is marching on all fronts the next generation of children/teenagers will be ignorant of any behavioural standards at all. It’s akin to the desire of Kevin Rudd and his fellow bible bashers to censor the internet: an exercise in futility. How can society instruct the next generation that rape is not desirable, when the very word has been expunged from our dictionaries. Also the bright kids will find a way around the filters, and the dumb kids will become enthusiastic footy lovers. The trogs. I digress.
Sure smoking is odious, but you haven’t proved that teenagers are fired up to smoke BECAUSE they see it on a movie screen. And I read some of your comments. To me they don’t prove anything but a control-freak imposing his will on other people.(I’m so outraged I can scarcely articulate my comments) why not ban Johnson’s baby powder on the basis that it will entice teenagers to do a line of crack?
It is people like you Simon, who would have us all in some Stalinist, Pol Pot regime. If you get your way you will have the Australian people as mindless robotic serfs whose lack of motivation will allow anything as long as it is enacted in the name of children.
I just wish I had the ability to smoke. JUST on the basis of your less than intelligent crusade.

Re-reading my rant it looks as if I am a tobacco industry apologist. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am against censoring anything to do with any form of media. Not because citizens’ rights have been threatened. But because it is (in this case) a filthy, addictive health hazard. But children have to learn from life Professor Chapman.