TOBACCO DEBATE DRAGS ON

Could an imminent European ban on tobacco advertising yet go up in smoke?
The environment committee of the European Parliament this week debates the
final form of the proposed directive, which would oblige countries to
introduce a general ban on tobacco advertising within three years, although
newspapers will be allowed to carry cigarette adverts for another year and
sponsorship of sporting and arts events will be given a further two years'
grace.

Tobacco industry lobbyists were given a fag-end of hope last week when the
European Parliament's legal affairs committee voted 12 to seven that the
EU institutions were exceeding their remit in imposing the ban, which is
based on an article of the EU's governing treaty, supposed to ensure the
smooth functioning of the single market.

Opponents say the ban's true purpose is the protection of health, which
should be left to national governments. The anti-smoking lobby argues that
the legal basis for the directive is sound and has been backed by the
experts of the European Commission, Palriament and the Council of
Ministers.

Even if, as expected, the full Parliament supports the ban unamended in
three week's time and it becomes law, it looks likely to be taken to the
European Court of Justice, either by the governments of Germany or Austria
or whomever else the tobacco industry can find to help.