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.