It's pretty obvious why "people with mental disorders" aren't considered eligible, and there's no comparison in the slightest, in any case. As for people with physical handicaps, I'm not entirely sure why they're seemingly excluded from the process (any perception of sympathy voting being puerile, of course). But you'd have to elucidate as far as "social inadequacies and unconventional habits" are concerned. As for the whole concept of influence, I'm simply not buying that at all, I'm afraid. You may as well ban every tv show, film, book, etc. in existence.

And (I hope you take this merely as part of the debate, rather than a personal slight) dismissing the alcohol issue so glibly rather erodes your point of view, and suggests selective bias.

I would bring up that alcohol is indeed poisoning your system as well , and for fun - as you mentioned , and thats certainly not glamorous stuff to show to our perfectly reared children - but seeing as your inconsistently ignorant to my point of alcohol [because it it fine by you] I wont waste space arguing it.

Also , children are used to seeing smoking anyway - its hardly a rarity in these interesting times we call modern society - so if not Big brother - they will see it in a multitude of other TV shows.

And if you knew anything about human behaviour , only people that are already smokers are likely to pick up and notice who is actually smoking in the house.

To further illustrate my point - its like getting a piercing. Once you get one - your brain will notice other people with them more.