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Aaron Paul claims that Barbie dolls are 'more damaging' to children than Breaking Bad figures sold in Toys R Us

The actor called for the action figures to be reinstated by the toy shop chain

Antonia Molloy
Friday 24 October 2014 07:40 EDT
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Aaron Paul has criticised Toys R Us for pulling Breaking Bad figures from its shelves while continuing to sell Barbie dolls, which he suggested are “more damaging” to children.

The actor, who played Jesse Pinkman in the hit AMC series about chemistry teacher turned drug dealer Walter White, took to Twitter to voice his frustration.

The toy shop chain, which is based in Wayne, New Jersey, announced this week that it would be discontinuing the line of action figures, which come complete with detachable sacks of money and bags of crystal meth.

Toys R Us made the move following a petition from a Florida mother that described the toys as “a dangerous deviation from their family friendly values”, which was signed by more than 9,000 people. However, a rival petition has now gained over 18,000 signatures.

Yesterday Paul tweeted the following:

Earlier this year researchers found that little girls who played with Barbie girls had more limited career aspirations than those who played with a Mrs Potato Head doll. Barbie has also been criticised for promoting an unhealthy and unrealistic body image.

The petition to reinstate them, started by a California man, says: "It is not irresponsible to have these in the store. It is only irresponsible if they sell them to people they are not appropriate for.

"That’s why I’m calling on Toys R Us to keep selling the Breaking Bad action figure collection in their stores and on their website as well as other "mature" toy lines."

Paul also urged his followers to add their signatures to the petition.

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