Won't somebody PLEASE think of the children.

Smoking scenes in Tom and Jerry cartoons have been banned in Britain following a viewer's complaint to the government agency that polices the airwaves.

In one episode of the classic American cartoon series, Tom is seen smoking a roll-up cigarette in an attempt to impress a female cat. In another, Tom's opponent in a tennis match is seen smoking a large cigar.

Following an investigation prompted by the anonymous viewer's complaint, regulator Ofcom said today that children's TV channel Boomerang had agreed to edit out scenes deemed to glamorise or condone smoking.

Apparently Tom and Jerry's violent gags are still cool though. You can show a cat getting chopped in half. Just don't show him smoking a dart...