The European Commission has published a new directive to ban tobacco advertising Europe-wide. The directive covers TV, radio, internet and print advertising as well as sponsorship of sport and a ban on the promotion of cigarettes at sporting events. The new directive is designed to ban tobacco advertising that crosses borders and therefore excludes advertising in cinemas or on posters. It was the inclusion of the latter which lead to the previous directive being struck down by the European Court of Justice ASH said the new proposals were a “good start but could do better”. John Connolly of ASH said: “Tobacco advertising gets more people smoking, and persuades smokers to keep smoking. This directive is a promising first step towards controlling advertising across the EU. It’s a shame, though that they didn’t take this opportunity to publish something stronger.” ASH and other health groups are pressing for the directive to include ‘brand-stretching’ (indirect advertising) and direct mail.

Source: International Herald Tribune, Daily Express, E Independent, Wall St Journal, 31/5/01