14 December 2000 Immediate release
Tobacco Ad Bill - ASH presses for swift and complete banto save thousands of lives
The Government today publishedTobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill. ASH Director, Clive Bates, said:
"Thiswill save about 3,000 lives each year, and we can't afford another moment ofdelay or doubt in bringing in the advertising ban."
Despite the positive news, ASHlamented that the government had failed to the use the opportunity to removethe special treatment offered to Formula One and World Cup Snooker:
"Thereis just no need to give Formula One until 2006, especially when its governingbody has already said it could be done by 2002 if necessary. The special treatment will just delay theend of tobacco promotion, and that willhave a cost in disease and death."
ASH warned against the tobaccoindustry attempting to water down the legislation:
"Wehave already seen them calling for exemptions for direct mail and brandstretching - but if you allow exemptions like this, the promotional budgetsjust shift from things that are banned to things that are not banned. To be effective a tobacco advertising banhas to be fully comprehensive.
ASH made a plea for the Tories tocome on side and support the Bill. Shadow Health Secretary, Dr. Liam Fox, hassaid he will support the Bill if he can be convinced that it will have abenefit to health. The evidence isoverwhelming and shows that if banning advertising makes even a small impact onconsumption, thousands of lives can be saved.
"Thereis no way the Conservative health team can argue with any conviction thatadvertising does not increase consumption of tobacco. All the evidence points the other way and where there is doubt,they should protect health before protecting tobacco companies. If the Tories oppose this Bill, they willbe playing politics with people's lives and putting teenagers at risk.
Further information
Contact:Clive Bates 020 7739 5902 (w) 077 6879 1237 (m)
