[Intl-tobacco] Czech Govt. Approves Tobacco Ad Ban

[Robert Weissman]

Czech Govt. Approves Tobacco Ad Ban

Source: AP, 2002-08-05, via tobacco.org
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45865-2002Aug5.html

Monday, August 5, 2002; 11:55 AM

PRAGUE, Czech Republic –– The Czech government has approved draft
legislation that would almost entirely ban tobacco advertising
within two years, Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla said Monday.

"The ban should become effective on July 1, 2004, if everything
goes as it should," Spidla told a news conference. The draft still
needs the approval of both chambers of parliament and ratification
by the president.

The ban would affect almost all forms of tobacco advertising,
including sponsoring, restricting ads to display only in special
tobacco shops.

Repeated attempts at banning or limiting advertising of tobacco
products have never passed through both chambers of parliament and
have been fiercely opposed by advertising groups, which are
concerned about losing money under such a ban.

According to earlier estimates, the amount spent on advertising and
sponsoring could drop by 1.5 billion koruna ($50 million) per year
if the legislation is approved.