[Intl-tobacco] UK: Tobacco Firms Face End To Advertising (fwd)

[Robert Weissman]

Tobacco Firms Face End To Advertising
Source: Sky News, Tuesday, 1/23/01

A heated debate on moves to all but wipe out tobacco advertising is
underway in the Commons.

MPs appear certain to approve a bill that would stub out advertising on
billboards, in newspapers and magazines, and through sporting promotions.

Anti-smoking campaigners insist the virtual ban could save thousand of
lives each year – the tobacco firms have warned it could backfire.

Opposition

The Tobacco Manufacturers' Association said the ban, coupled with high
taxes, would lead to more people smoking because firms would be forced to
drop their prices in a market already flooded by illegal imports from
mainland Europe.

The Association's director of public affairs John Carlisle said: "(The
bill)  fails to contain smuggling which will continue to earn substantial
profits for illicit traders and expose children to indiscriminate sales.

"The most likely outcome of this policy is that tobacco consumption will
reach even higher levels, the opposite of what the Government intends."

Easy trip

The bill is expected to get an easy passage through the Commons on
Monday's second reading.

The anti-smoking lobby says it hopes MPs will vote according to individual
conscience rather than along party lines.

Other countries such as Canada already operate bans on tobacco advertising
and in Britain sports heavily-dependent on the industry for sponsorship
were warned some years ago to start searching for alternative sources of
cash.