Pubdate: Fri, 18 June 1999 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Copyright: Guardian Media Group 1999 Contact: http://www.guardian.co.uk/ Author: Sarah Boseley, Health Correspondent TOBACCO ADS AND SPORTS SPONSORSHIP TO DISAPPEAR Cigarette adverts on billboards and in magazines will be outlawed in the UK from mid-December and most tobacco sponsorship of art and sports will be banned by 2003, under draft regulations launched by the government. The Embassy world snooker championship has won its fight to be defined as a special case and - like formula one motor racing - will have until 2006 to find non-tobacco sponsorship. But the competitions will have to cut their tobacco sponsorship by at least a fifth in each of the additional years they have been granted. Other tobacco-sponsored sports like fishing and darts will not qualify for the exemption. The regulations say it applies only to specific international sports played in at least three countries on two continents with tobacco sponsorship of at least pounds 2.5m. The regulations, which will become law on December 10, will fulfil the UK's obligation to comply with the EU directive on tobacco advertising and sponsorship. Frank Dobson, the health secretary, said yesterday the aim was to protect children from tobacco which kills 120,000 Britons every year. "Every year, thousands of children start smoking - getting themselves hooked on a product that will keep them addicted and eventually kill them," he said. "That's partly because tobacco advertising is one of the most powerful influences in persuading children to start smoking. Every time they walk down the high street, wait at a bus shelter, watch the snooker or motor racing on television, or pop into the newsagent's, they are exposed to pro-smoking propaganda. That must stop. And it is going to stop." The tobacco industry accused the government of acting with "blatant disregard for the legal position". Four tobacco companies and the German government are challenging the EU directive in the European court. A ruling in their favour would invalidate the British legislation, they say. David Swann, chief executive of the Tobacco Manufacturers Association, said: "Tens of thousands of jobs are at risk in tobacco retailing, publishing, advertising and other marketing services companies, while tobacco-sponsored sports will also be severely hit financially." But medical organisations and campaigners were delighted. ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) called the advertising ban "a progressive and far-sighted measure which will over time save thousands of lives". However, Clive Bates, its director, warned that the industry would promote cigarettes in other ways. "The tobacco companies will try to sidestep the ban by using things like clothing, motorbikes, holidays and clubs to push their brands." ASH would like the government to commit itself to legislating against "brand-stretching", but yesterday's draft regulations say the use of brand names for a range of clothing or coffee shops, for instance, will be allowed if it was established before last July. New brand names will have to be "distinct" from those used on cigarette packets. The British Medical Association was also anxious about brand-stretching. "We know that the tobacco manufacturers will use every possible trick to try to preserve it," said Ian Bogle, chairman of the BMA council, who said he also remained concerned about the effects of sports sponsorship on young men. Liam Fox, the shadow health secretary, said the ban was "both illogical in its application and questionable in its ethics". He doubted whether it would lead to a reduction in smoking. Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, welcomed the ban but wanted sports sponsorship to end immediately. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea