Dobson Goes Further On Tobacco Advertising Ban

Speaking at the Royal College of Nursing's annual congress, Health Secretary Frank Dobson made it clear that the draft Bill promised in the Queen's speech would cover sponsorship as well as advertising.

"It will cover all forms of tobacco advertising including sponsorship. We recognise that some sports are heavily dependent on tobacco sponsorship." he said.

Motor racing, cricket and snooker are three sports likely to be strongly affected. Mr Dobson promised the Government would give the sports involved time to reduce their dependency on tobacco and find other sponsors.

The Health Secretary said there were still many details yet to be worked out before sponsorship could be banned. "Some of the laws introduced in other countries haven't worked well. That's one of the reasons why we are introducing a draft Bill, so that the wrinkles can be ironed out." he said.

"We don't want to harm these sports but they must recognise that by helping promote the sales of tobacco they are harming the health of many of their own sports spectators and viewers...I hope that during this process we will be spared the claims by the tobacco industry that their advertising is not designed to promote sales. The fact is that the tobacco industry, unique amongst all industries, kills around 120,000 of its own customers every year," he said.

RCN general secretary Christine Murphy said, "We are absolutely delighted to see at last the British Government take a strong line on tobacco.There's absolutely no doubt that it's the single greatest cause of death. It's disgraceful that no government before has taken really tough measures against tobacco advertising and sponsorship."

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The Tobacco Industry

The tobacco industry argue that advertising and sponsorship may cause people who are already smokers to switch brands, but they say it does not cause anyone to actually start smoking.

Clive Turner, executive director of the Tobacco Manufacturers Association said of the aanouncment, "In any case it's quite unnecessary, because a ban like this, whether it's sponsorship or advertising, isn't going to make any difference to total consumption. What it will do is alter the dynamics of our market place so that we won't be able to shift around brand shares and promote brand loyalty. Can you really imagine that a non-smoker watching a piece of sponsored sport is then going to rush out and start smoking? It's ludicrous to make such a suggestion."

Sponsorship

Many sports will be affected by today's announcement. Rugby Football League have already started to search for new sponsors. "We have established contact with other companies," said League chairman Sir Rodney Walker. "We haven't moved on because of the existing contracts with Silk Cut. Now we will have to talk more seriously to these people.We have got to ensure that when the current contract expires in two years we have something else in place to take over.But it's not easy and I feel sorry for the tobacco companies who have been loyal and generous sponsors".

The Challenge Cup, the Rugby Football League's most glamorous competition, with a showpiece final at Wembley, has been sponsored by tobacco companies for the past 18 years.

Imperial Tobacco sponsors the British Darts Organisation's (BDO) two flagship events: the Embassy World Professional Darts Championship and the Embassy Gold Cup Darts Championship. The BDO spokesman Robert Holmes was disappointed at Labour's decision.

"Darts is under threat as a result of this. It's a huge blow at a time when the sport cannot afford a blow like this."

Tobacco companies also inject over £100 million a year in Formula One racing. Leading teams that will be affected include Williams, Benetton, Ferrari, McLaren, Jordan and Prost.