[Intl-tobacco] EU PARLIAMENT VOTES IN FAVOR OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING BAN

[Robert Weissman]

EU VOTE BRINGS TOBACCO ADVERTISING BAN CLOSER

Source: Reuters
Date: 2002-11-20
Author: Jeremy Smith
URL: http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/021120/tobacco_eu_advertising_1.html
ID: 109111

A crackdown on tobacco advertising in the European Union came a
step closer on Wednesday when Members of the European Parliament
(MEPs) backed a ban on cigarette promotion in a wide range of
media.

The European Commission, the 15-nation bloc's executive arm, had
to go back to the drawing board two years ago after the European
Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled an earlier version of the law had
attempted to give Brussels power over health policy -- an area
reserved for control by EU member states.

While the draft approved on Wednesday narrows the scope of the
bill by restricting sponsorship by tobacco firms only where it
had a "significant cross-border impact", it still includes a
general ban on the print media, and also radio and Internet.

"What we are looking at today is, probably, the legislation
which bans advertising of tobacco in newspapers, magazines,
periodicals, on the radio and Internet. I am very, very pleased
about this," said David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health
and Consumer Affairs.

"It's an important day for public health," he told reporters.
"This will help reduce tobacco consumption by removing the image
that tobacco is 'cool'. I predict that this legislation will be
in final form by next summer."

            ----------------


EU PARLIAMENT VOTES IN FAVOR OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING BAN

Source: Dow Jones via Yahoo
Date: 2002-11-20
Author: A Margin Of 311 Votes To 202, The E.U. Assembly Meeting In
URL: http://biz.yahoo.com/djus/021120/0719000358_3.html
ID: 109112

By a margin of 311 votes to 202, the E.U. assembly meeting in
Strasbourg France, approved a bill banning all tobacco ads in
print, radio, and on the Internet. It also forbids tobacco
companies from sponsoring sports events, such as Formula One,
which take place in more than one European country, and ends the
free distribution of tobacco products as a means of promotion.

"Members of the European Parliament kept clear heads despite all
the smoke in the air," said David Byrne, E.U. Commissioner for
Health and Consumer Protection.

The law would replace different standards in E.U. countries.

It still needs to be passed twice by parliament and approved by
E.U. governments before taking effect. E.U. ministers will give
their first assessment Dec. 2. . .

Despite intensive lobbying by tobacco and advertising
industries, parliamentarians rejected a series of amendments
which would have watered down some of the bill's key provisions.
They did, however, agree to one small change that would prevent
the Commission from widening the scope of the legislation at a
later date. . .

Pariamentarians rejected moves that would have allowed sporting
events to carry tobacco ads until October 2006. This is a blow
to Formula One which relies heavily on tobacco sponsorship, and
could raise the prospect of more events being held beyond
Europe's borders. Belgium's hopes of hosting next year's race,
for example, look almost certain to be dashed after it enacted
its own ads ban.