22/07/2002 - The British Board of Film Classification has announced that the rules on age restrictions may be abolished in the next ten years

The British Board of Film Classification, the severe institution that censors films in Great Britain, has announced that within the next 10 years, the «Film Certificates», which regulate the age restrictions for the viewing of certain films, may be abolished. In an interview with British daily, «The Independent», Chief Censor, Andreas Whittam Smith, stated that English children will be able to see films which today are prohibited to minors under the age of 18. According to Mr. Smith, the current certificates which regulate and prevent children from having access to certain films will be replaced by «advisory certificates». The new certificates will not have the power to prevent admission, but will advise whether or not a film is appropriate for minor children. The new system will function somewhat like the American system which stipulates that certain films can be seen by children under the age of 13 only if they are accompanied by their parents.