Paris bans poster because of smoking....

Hey, I hate smoking, but please it's ok to put in a poster....

The transport authority's decision to remove the posters because they were "unhealthy and inappropriate" was condemned as "ridiculous" by Chanel fans and even by the man who drew up France's draconian anti-smoking laws.

The posters show Tautou as the chain-smoking French creator of the little black dress gazing sensuously at the camera in silk pyjamas, with a cigarette smouldering in her right hand.

Chanel was 87 when she died in 1971, despite smoking several packets of cigarettes a day for most of her life. It is rare to find photos or her without a cigarette.

However, Metrobus, the company which runs advertising on Paris' buses and trains, said that the law came before historical accuracy.

"Cigarettes are banned on our entire transport system, and there is no reason why we should be giving them free advertising through this film poster," a spokesman said.