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ASH Daily News
3 December 2002


HEADLINES

Government attacked for bid to block anti-tobacco law
FOREST fears fires from fines
Correction


FULL TEXT


Government attacked for bid to block anti-tobacco law

The European Union yesterday voted in favour of a directive that will ban
tobacco advertising throughout the region. The ban that was agreed by health
ministers yesterday despite last minute opposition by Germany and Britain.

Germany was expected to vote against legislation because of the close links
between the tobacco manufacturers and the government. German newspapers and
magazines are estimated to earn between €40m - €50m a year from tobacco
companies.

It is rare for Britain to vote alongside the German government, but several
newspapers report today that Britain voted against an EU ban on tobacco
advertising because the measures contained within its provisions were too
weak.

However, officials in Brussels said the ‘sticking point’ for the British
government was the timing of the new EU law, which will come into force at
the end of July 2005. The vote by European Health Ministers will outlaw
sponsorship of sporting events by tobacco companies in all EU countries
including Britain. A British law on such advertising, which came into force
last month, gives Formula One extra time to phase out tobacco sponsorship -
set for October 2006.

Officials in Brussels said that the 'sticking point' for the British
government was the timing of the new EU law, which will come into force on
31 July 2005. The vote by European Health Ministers will outlaw sponsorship
of sporting events by tobacco companies in all EU countries including
Britain. A British law on such advertising, which came into force last
month, gives Formula One extra time to phase out tobacco sponsorship - set
for October 2006.

Formula One has been a sensitive issue for the government since it was
forced to payback a £1m donation from racing chief, Bernie Ecclestone.
Anti-smoking campaigners yesterday said the EU vote gave the impression that
Ministers were trying to help Formula One retain sponsorship for two extra
grand prix seasons.

Clive Bates, Director of Action on Smoking on Health said: "The new
directive is in clear conflict with British policy which is still based on
the ghost of Ecclestone's million and the flawed belief that finding other
sponsors for Formula One teams is somehow going to be difficult when in fact
new sponsors are queuing up. This certainly gives the impression that
Formula One still has its backers in government."

Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said yesterday's vote
sent the wrong message to the public. "Until the government publishes
alternative reasons for voting against this people will believe that it has
more to do with Formula One than public health."

Source: The Independent, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Times, Daily
Telegraph, Wall Street Journal Europe, 3 December 2002




FOREST fears fires from fines

Smokers who face being fined £25 for dropping cigarette butts in Edinburgh
streets claimed last night that the anti-litter initiative constituted a
“dangerous fire hazard”.

Environment wardens issuing on-the-spot penalties as part of a clean up
drive by the city council have been targeting smokers for not using bins.
The council is insisting that individuals make sure their cigarette is
properly extinguished before putting them into bins provided across the
city.

Last night Forest, the smokers’ group attacked the move as dangerous. Jo
Gaffkin, a spokeswoman said: I simply can’t believe the council is
recommending people put out newly extinguished cigarettes in ordinary bins.
[…] there are occasions when I will extinguish a cigarette and put it out in
the bin, but it must be a fire hazard.”

Councillor Brian Fallon, environment leader for the council, cautioned
smokers to take extra care when disposing their cigarettes. He said: “Our
campaign is as strong as ever. We are encouraging people to bin their
rubbish, including cigarette butts. No-one is suggesting that people should
put their lighted cigarettes in the bins”.

Source: The Herald (Glasgow), 30 November 2002




Correction

Yesterday’s addition of the ASH Daily News included coverage of Sunday Times
’ piece on tobacco companies being forced print photographs on packets of
cigarettes from January 2003. This is incorrect.

The European Commission is to specify the proposed images for inclusion on
packets by the end of December 2002. Member states are then expected to
consider the images, but the implementation date remains clear.

Source: ASH






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Naj Dehlavi
Action on Smoking and Health
102 Clifton Street
London EC2A 4HW
http://www.ash.org.uk