Eastenders And Smoking

[VHG]

I happen to hate Eastenders, but one of my family members is watching it at the moment while I am in the room.

I was surprised to see one of the characters almost constantly smoking, even though he is in an office and surrounded by No Smoking signs.

I thought TV was not supposed to show people smoking.

Or is his smoking part of the storyline (and even if it is I don't think they should show people smoking).

[Zacs-Master]

I think it was meant to convey nervousness.

[netibiza]

but smoking is not illegal why can't they show it?

[ummmm]

And people in real life smoke.

[pixie373]

They do- but i also thought they weren't supposed to show it on TV.

[ummmm]

They do show it. Dot Cotton is a prime example. I can only think of three smokers in EE. Dot, Max and Shirley.

[March-Hare]

I know that it's not real - HOWEVER - I agree that they should follow the everyday rules .............. and if Max was in the portacabin with no smoking signs, he could just as easily have been pacing and looking nervous outside with a fag than inside, breaking the rules. HOWEVER - we probably see more drunken behaviour, binge drinking, infidelity and violence in soaps than we do cigarettes!

[tonymclark]

In my experience, smokers find crafty ways of having a cigarette indoors at work, especially if the office is quiet (like an evening or weekend).

[VHG]

>>>>but smoking is not illegal why can't they show it?

I know it is not illegal.

But I thought TV had a moral responsibility not to show people smoking.

In fact I was quite shocked when I saw him smoking as if you think about it you hardly see anyone smoking on TV nowadays (except in old films made in the 50s, 60s and 70s)

[ummmm]

What about films like Trainspotting?

[Zeuhl]

It's less common on TV, but still necessary with selected characters and situations to maintain some sense of 'reality'

[chelle7272]

It was supposed to convey his nervousness following the killing of Lucy and his affair with her. It was commented on by Michael when he entered to emphasise it.
The portacabin is where he works and he owns it so I guess he can flout rules if he wants to.

[scooping]

Are you seriously saying that TV shouldn't show people taking drugs, abusing alcohol, assaults, cruelty...?

[Prudie]

There's far worse things shown on TV, does TV have any moral responsibility?

[sherrardk]

They show quite a bit of smoking on Coronation Street.

[lankeela]

Thought you could not smoke in places of work? How do they get away with that?

[netibiza]

and Madge in Benidorm smokes constantly (even though in real life they are lettuce cigs) but it's still shown.

[Zeuhl]

Lankeela

Theatre stages and studio sets/locations are exempt for performances

[chessington]

Don't forget Cora smokes too so that is 4 people in Eastenders, in Corrie Peter Barlow, Steve, Liz and Deirdre can't think of any more but thats enough. I think when they brought in the smoking ban in 2007 not to smoke in public places enclosed, it also meant the TV studios too, but I could be wrong??

[EDDIE51]

It IS illegal to smoke in any workplace or public building.

[THECORBYLOON]

There is an exemption for actors during the performance but it remains illegal outwith England.