The Regional Censor Board officials are tightening the screws on smoking scenes in Tamil cinema.

Ever since Dr Anbumani Ramadoss assumed office as the Union Minister for Health, he was urging actors not to feature in screen smoking. Moreover, a public ban on smoking was implemented.

Going a step further now, the Censor officials have been instructed to hand over 'A' certificates even if there are a couple of smoking scenes in a film.

According to director Rajesh, a former associate of S. A. Chandrasekhar, who is directing the Jeeva starrer 'Siva Manasula Sakthi', 'my film has been certified UA despite it being a breezy family entertainer. There are four instances when characters smoke in the film. The officials at the censor board said they have been instructed to do so'.

'Siva Manasula Sakthi' features Jeeva in the lead role. The actor is a happy man as his recently released 'Thenavattu' has successfully completed a 50-day run across theatres.