Adwords: "unacceptable content" -- now what?

Humeniuk, thanks for your comments. Yes, afterwards I saw that tobacco ads are not allowed; afterwards is always a bad time for things like that :) - but with so many other ads running I didn't bother to think it might not be allowed ;).

My other ads are still running, so I think my account's probably ok. Might have a yellow flag somewhere, but that shouldn't bother me.

But still, I'm wondering - is this a general clean-up action on googles side (i.e. get rid of and block tobacco keywords completely, after having been allowed for a while) or is it something that keeps returning (i.e. a weekly cleanup-script)? I imagine - even though they're on the list - that Google might be inclined to "tolerate" these ads for a while (they probably generate alot of turnover) and then clean up every now and then (to stay on their policies) -- i.e. shut one eye, cash in, and then act "clean". Or am I thinking too much into this? :))

"afterwards is always a bad time for things like that"
Yes, but it could be worse :)

"My other ads are still running, so I think my account's probably ok. Might have a yellow flag somewhere, but that shouldn't bother me."
If you want to be sure, send Google an email along the lines of 'sorry, wasn't aware, won't do it again, hope this won't affect my account'.  You'll likely get a response that will clarify things.

"I'm wondering - is this a general clean-up action on googles side ... or is it something that keeps returning"
I suspect that it's a sweep that runs from time to time because these ads tend to disappear in groups as you described, but I don't know the intervals.  It may be from time to time, it may be when a certain threshold (ie. number of ads) is passed.

"Google might be inclined to 'tolerate' these ads for a while (they probably generate alot of turnover) and then clean up every now and then (to stay on their policies) -- i.e. shut one eye, cash in, and then act 'clean' "
You're not the first person to suggest this :)  There are a number of people who have been somewhat peeved that they were shut down after spending a bunch of money.  I'm tempted to dismiss it because Google appears to be genuine in their 'keep it clean' approach.  Also, ads are Google's cash cow, why would they risk the program's integrity by playing games.  On the other hand, sometimes idealism isn't very profitable - money is money and business can be a blood sport.

"Or am I thinking too much into this?"
Your guess is as good as mine.  As above, I doubt it.  But I've been living in the real world long enough to know there's nothing so dirty that you won't find somebody, somewhere who will do it for cash.

I just checked: all the ads except "bulk marketing / bulk email" and "casinos" are gone. I bet alot of people are a bit upset (and some alot) ;)). Let's see if they stay gone, I mean it should be no problem for them to just deny keywords (maybe bulk email and casinos are too hard to weed out automatically?) Interesting things I missed out on so far :D

It would be interesting to keep an eye on it.