He's a cool cat who's getting the cut. No longer will Tom, Jerry and his friends smoke in public. After a parent complained this year, animators were asked to edit these classic cartoons and make them tobacco-free.

On TV, young audiences may see a little less smoking, but not at the movies. According to scenesmoking.org, tobacco use in films is back to levels not seen since the 1950's.

The Web site reports that 80 percent of movies rated PG-13 now have smoking and leading actors light up 60 percent of the time. Additional studies confirm it's one of the main reasons kids try their first cigarette.

KING

You won't see smoking in cartoons, but that's not the case for feature films.

With that in mind, do moviemakers have an obligation to limit smoking in films? Take it to Hollywood and the debate heats up faster than a steamy love scene.

“I think its one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard in my life. I’ll tell you why: Do they limit murder? I’d rather people smoke than murder, personally," said actor and director Billy Bob Thornton.

“It’s a creative thing if a character would smoke, it’s a form of censorship.”

KING

Sela Ward lost her mother died to lung cancer.

“You know, I’ll do it, and I don't really care what anybody thinks. And I get the example we're trying to put forth.  So the best answer I could possibly give you is, I don’t do it gratuitously, I do it because it fits,” said Kevin Costner.

Actress Sela Ward refuses to smoke in movies.

“I refuse ... because it's what really killed by mother and I think it's irresponsible and it’s nothing I want to promote in any shape or form.”