Lawmaker seeks ban on Barbie dolls

CHARLESTON, W.Va., March 4 (UPI) -- A West Virginia lawmaker has introduced a bill that would ban the sale of all dolls that "influence girls to be beautiful."

Democrat Jeff Eldridge of the House of Delegates says Barbie dolls and others like her encourage girls to place too much value on physical appearance, The Charleston Gazette reported Wednesday.

Eldridge says children need to know "beauty from the inside" is just as important as outer beauty.

His bill, introduced Tuesday, would make it illegal to sell Barbie dolls "and other similar dolls that promote or influence girls to place undue importance on physical beauty to the detriment of their intellectual and emotional development."

A spokeswoman for Mattel Inc., which manufactures Barbie dolls, did not return the Gazette's request for comment.

The famous fashion doll will be marking her 50th birthday next week.