An Australian TV network that screened footage of Russell Crowe smoking has lost its appeal against a ruling saying it broke tobacco advertising laws.

Federal Court Judge Arthur Emmett upheld the Australian Broadcasting Authority's complaint against the Nine Network, owned by media tycoon Kerry Packer.

Members of the general public might seek to emulate Mr Crowe

Australian Broadcasting Authority

The authority claimed that an October 2000 interview with Crowe on the current affairs show 60 Minutes breached the Tobacco Advertisement Prohibition Act.

Crowe was seen holding a packet of Marlboros as he lit up, and the shot was repeated the following week after viewers complained about the Oscar-winning star's heavy smoking habit.

The authority said that while the original footage was an "incidental accompaniment" which was permitted, the repeat broadcast "recklessly" constituted a tobacco advert.

"Members of the general public might seek to emulate Mr Crowe, and may believe that it is desirable to adopt his behaviour, including smoking Marlboro cigarettes, " said a spokesperson.

It decided against imposing a fine on the TV station.

However the Nine Network, which described the ruling as "perverse and irrational", told the court that the station had shown the footage by way of discouraging smoking.

Crowe won an Oscar for Gladiator last year

Lawyers for the station said that Crowe's habit had been referred to in the interview as "weakness for the demon weed".

Crowe, who won the Best Actor award for Gladiator last year, was also nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Insider, in which he played a tobacco industry whistleblower.

He is currently in Mexico filming Master And Commander, an action adventure set during the Napoleonic Wars.