Ban on tobacco ads comes into force
Tobacco companies will be banned from arranging sponsorship deals under new laws which come into force from today.
Under the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act cigarette manufacturers will be prohibited from using branded goods, including clothing such as T-shirts and hats, to advertise their products.
The new law has been introduced as new European legislation comes into force banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship within the EU’s 25 member states.
In addition to banning advertising in the media and over the internet, the ban will also apply to sporting events, including motor racing.
Tobacco advertising, banned from the British Grand Prix three years ago, will feature in the last EU race on Sunday, during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
But it is currently unclear whether the ban will apply to sporting events taking place outside the EU, but televised within it, the BBC reports.
Ash, the anti-smoking campaign group fears tobacco-sponsored motor racing outside Europe would still be seen in EU countries.
“The real problem is that Formula One is so popular worldwide. What is not clear is whether the ban will extend to the broadcasting of tobacco-sponsored Formula One races from outside the EU to EU countries,” said a spokeswoman for Ash.
“If that is the case the spirit of the law will be undermined,” she added.
It has been estimated that up to 3,000 UK lives could be saved each year following the ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.
