PLANS to rate films showing smoking as 18 certificates were last night dramatically thrown out by Liverpool councillors.

The proposals, put forward by the Liverpool Primary Care Trust (PCT), were rejected by an overwhelming majority, despite impassioned pleas from health executive Cllr Ron Gould that the council should endorse the scheme.

But last night’s full council meeting heard members on both political sides attack what they claimed amounted to "censorship on the grounds of public health".

The PCT has spent months preparing and consulting on its case for the ban, which it insisted would only cover new productions which show smoking in a positive light.

But opponents to the scheme told the chamber they feared it was a "step too far". Liberal Democrat ethical governance executive, Cllr Paula Keaveney, called on the council not to approve the plans, which would see changes to the local licensing laws.

Her move was strongly supported within the Lib-Dem ranks, with the scheme described as "nonsense" by Cllr Paul Clein.

But Cllr Gould, who spearheaded the SmokeFree Liverpool campaign, asked members "how many young people have to start smoking before you choose to act?"