BRITAIN'S ROYALS REVOKE TOBACCO APPROVAL

LONDON - Britain's royal family has withdrawn its prestigious
seal of approval that the manufacturer of Benson and Hedges cigarettes
enjoyed for 122 years.

The move, hailed by anti-smoking groups, was the most public sign yet
of royal opposition to tobacco. A palace spokesman said Gallaher Ltd.
has until the end of the year to remove from all its packaging Queen
Elizabeth II's coat of arms, the symbol that signifies a royal
warrant, or seal of approval.

The queen's father, King George VI, was a smoker and died of lung
cancer in 1952. It is unknown whether the queen has ever smoked. But
her heir, Prince Charles, strongly disapproves of it and reportedly
persuaded his longtime love, Camilla Parker Bowles, to quit.

Holders of royal warrants include Kellogg's breakfast cereals, Quaker
Oats, jam makers and jewelers.