Smoking Makes Hulk ANGRY

Who would have thought that the American Medical Association could turn an angry shade of green?

Marvel Studio’s release of the new film, "The Incredible Hulk," unleashed a scolding from the physicians group who claimed the movies inclusion of several smoking scenes was over-the-top. The group said the film’s bad guy, General Thunderbolt Ross, who is rarely seen without a cigar in his mouth, was reason enough to take the PG-13 rating up a notch to an R rating. Ross’ bad habit especially angered the association because of the worry that children may identify with the character and decide to take up smoking.

The advocacy group was sure to point out that, although General Ross did smoke in the comic books, he did not smoke in the 2003 film directed by Ang Lee. The editor of Marvel Comics has previously criticized the reinforcement of smoking in pop culture.

Marvel Studios has not commented on the controversy, but Universal's advertising materials for the movie has a parental advisory about the cigar habit.

In May 2007, the Motion Picture Association of America said it would begin to consider the depiction of smoking in rating films in the same manner that it does sex and violence. How “The Incredible Hulk” made it through the cracks is still up in the air.

We want to hear from you: Should smoking be allowed in movies—especially movies that may be watched by many young eyes? [The New York Times]