Government attacked for bid to block anti-tobacco law
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Your support makes all the difference.The Government faces renewed criticism over its business links after unsuccessfully trying to block new European Union anti-tobacco measures which will ban cigarette sponsorship of Formula One a year earlier than planned.
Britain and Germany were the only countries to vote against an EU ban on tobacco advertising on the radio, over the internet, in newspapers and as part of sponsorship. The decision to vote against it has surprised observers who say it is rare for Britain to be isolated in such votes.
Officials in Brussels said that the 'sticking point' for the British government was the timing of the new EU law, which will come into force on 31 July 2005. The vote by European Health Ministers will outlaw sponsorship of sporting events by tobacco companies in all EU countries including Britain. A British law on such advertising, which came into force last month, gives Formula One extra time to phase out tobacco sponsorship - set for October 2006.
Formula One has been a sensitive issue for the government since it was forced to payback a £1m donation from racing chief, Bernie Ecclestone. Anti-smoking campaigners yesterday said the EU vote gave the impression that Ministers were trying to help Formula One retain sponsorship for two extra grand prix seasons.
Clive Bates, Director of Action on Smoking on Health said: "The new directive is in clear conflict with British policy which is still based on the ghost of Ecclestone's million and the flawed belief that finding other sponsors for Formula One teams is somehow going to be difficult when in fact new sponsors are queuing up. This certainly gives the impression that Formula One still has its backers in government."
Earlier this year the Government faced accusations of favours for Formula One when the Independent revealed that, after lobbying from the motorsport industry, Ministers had approved a highly unusual £8m grant to allow a new bypass to open at Silverstone in time for the British Grand Prix.
Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said yesterday's vote sent the wrong message to the public. "Until the government publishes alternative reasons for voting against this people will believe that it has more to do with Formula One than public health."
Last night the government said it had opposed the new EU law because it was concerned that it may not be robust enough to withstand legal challenge by the tobacco industry. An earlier attempt to legislate was overturned by the European Court of Justice two years ago. The Health Secretary Alan Milburn argued: "The tobacco industry has succeeded in delaying and defeating European efforts to ban tobacco advertising once. It would be a disaster if that happens again."
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