Key Dates in the Campaign to ban Tobacco Advertising
Feb - 1994
On 11 February the House of Commons gives an unopposed Second Reading to Kevin Barron's Private Members' Bill to ban tobacco advertising after a procedural vote is carried by 227 votes to 17.
May - 1994
Kevin Barron's Private Member's Bill to ban tobacco advertising fails at its Report Stage in the House of Commons on 13 May. 108 amendments and 5 new clauses are tabled, a tactic which ensures that the Bill runs out of time.
Jan - 1996
Advertisements for Hamlet cigars are shown in UK cinemas, after a seven-year absence. The ads take advantage of a loophole in the voluntary agreement which only bans ads for cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco.
May - 1996
A MORI survey of childrens’ beliefs about tobacco advertising shows that two-thirds of teenagers identified a link between cigarette advertising and sport.
May - 1997
Labour wins General Election and pledges to ban tobacco advertising.
June - 1998
EU Advertising Directive – banning all tobacco advertising and sponsorship in the EU - is formally adopted.
Oct - 1999
German Government and tobacco industry challenge the EU Directive in the European Court on the validity of its legal basis. Challenge is successful and directive is annulled.
Oct - 2000
UK Government include Bill to ban all tobacco advertising and sponsorship in the Queen’s Speech.
Jan - 2001
UK Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill introduced in House of Commons
May - 2001
General Election called. Tobacco Advertising Bill is lost through lack of Parliamentary time. Labour Party promise to re-introduce Bill if they win election. Promise is included in Party Manifesto.
June - 2001
Labour wins General Election but the bill to ban tobacco advertising is not included in the Queen's Speech.
July - 2001
Following the failure of the Government to re-introduce the bill to ban tobacco advertising, the Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Clement-Jones, introduces an identical bill in the House of Lords.
March - 2002
The tobacco advertising bill completes its passage through the Lords. The government gives the bill its formal backing.
Aug - 2002
The Government publishes regulations to implement key components of the tobacco advertising bill and confirms its intention to complete passage of the bill through the Commons before the end of the year.
Oct/Nov - 2002
The Advertising bill is passed by Parliament and receives Royal Assent.
Dec - 2002
The Council of Health Ministers votes to accept the text of the European Directive on tobacco advertising. The directive requires member states to implement the law by 2005. This includes the phasing out of tobacco sponsorship of sport.
July - 2005
Implementation of brandsharing regulations
July - 2005
EU Advertising Directive enters into force.
Dec - 2004
Point of Sale regulations enter into force.
July - 2004
Approval of brandsharing regulations to enter into force on 31 July 2005.
March - 2004
Point of sale regulations approved for entry into force on 21 December 2004.
Sept - 2003
Publication of the draft point of sale and brandsharing regulations. The regulations are notified to the European Commission to ensure compatibility with European law.
July - 2003
Ending of tobacco sponsorship of sport, except global sports (eg Formula 1 motor racing) which will be allowed to continue until July 2005.
May - 2003
The banning of tobacco promotion via direct mail and on-pack promotions takes effect.
Feb - 2003
The first phase of the UK Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act comes into effect on 14th February. This covers the banning of advertising on billboards and in print media.
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Dec - 1993
Labour MP for Rother Valley, Kevin Barron, announced that he would introduce a Private Members' Bill to ban tobacco advertising. The First Reading was on 16 December.
Feb - 1992
MEPs in the European Parliament vote in favour of banning tobacco advertising.
Oct - 1991
EC directive making tobacco advertising on television illegal comes into force.
