Smilies count as images in posts?

[mirkah]

I really want all the users on our board to be able to use smilies but only certain user groups to use IMG tags in posts. Is there a fairly simple way to have smilies NOT be considered images?

The IMG tags by user group is set up fine but I just don't feel right telling everyone else, sorry, there go your emoticons. (Insert weepy emoticon.)

[Zachery]

I really want all the users on our board to be able to use smilies but only certain user groups to use IMG tags in posts. Is there a fairly simple way to have smilies NOT be considered images?

The IMG tags by user group is set up fine but I just don't feel right telling everyone else, sorry, there go your emoticons. (Insert weepy emoticon.)
Just allow more images per post?

[mirkah]

Just allow more images per post?
Well, no, that doesn't work.

User group A is allowed to use IMG tags. User group B is not. That means user group B can no longer use smilies because vB considers smilies "images."