ASH Daily News for 13/12/2001
HEADLINES
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ASH Daily News
13 December 2001
HEADLINES
ISPs win exception in Ad Ban Bill
RJR sign Santa Fe agreement
80 million cigarettes seized in Dundalk
Full Text
ISPs win exception in Ad Ban Bill
According to Marketing Week, following a government intervention on their behalf, internet service providers (ISPs) have escaped being defined as publishers of advertising in the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill.
They argue that they merely serve as conduits for websites, managed and run by third parties, and the exception awarded to them is an important victory.
Under the text of the proposed bill, it will be illegal for tobacco advertising to be published on the internet.
Lord Filkin, speaking for the Department of Health told a House of Lords committee meeting last week that the government was willing to make the concession because it is currently defining the legal responsibilities of ISPs in the transposition of the EU’s e-commerce directive, and does not want any disparities to arise.
Source: Marketing Week, 13 December 2001
RJR sign Santa Fe agreement
RJ Reynolds Tobacco, the second largest US cigarette manufacturer, has signed an definitive $340 million takeover agreement from Santa Fe Natural Tobacco. Andy Schindle, chief executive of RJR said the Santa Fe acquisition was in line with his goal of maximising shareholder value, and would add “a highly differentiated, growing premium brand”.
Lehman Brothers had advised RJR in their bid for the takeover.
Source: Financial Times, 12 December 2001
80 million cigarettes seized in Dundalk
In what seems to have been a joint British and Irish Republic operation, 80 million cigarettes have been seized in Dundalk, Ireland. The seizure is said to be the biggest ever in the Irish Republic. The seizure, valued in the region of IR punts 13 million followed an international operation involving police, Customs personnel, navy and air force in Ireland and British authorities.
The cigarettes were being carried on a aging Bolivian cargo vessel, the Anto.
Source: Lloyd’s list, 13 December 2001
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