'Mad Men' smoking draws fines in Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Two Turkish television stations were each fined $33,000 for airing shows such as the U.S.-produced "Mad Men" that feature smoking.

The fines levied by the Supreme Board of Radio and Television were successfully challenged by channels E2, which airs "Mad Men" and TV8, which airs the popular French cartoon, "Tin Tin," the Hurriyet newspaper reported Tuesday.

The stations argued the various programs had been produced before the on-air smoking ban was instituted, the newspaper said.

Additionally, the required practice of blurring out cigarettes was criticized as counterproductive by one of the board's members, who said the distortion attracts more attention.

In the animated "Tin Tin," only villains smoke, whereas in "Mad Men," the 1960s advertising executives are constantly seen puffing cigarettes and drinking liquor.