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FIA looks to scrap F1 tobacco ad ban

Formula 1's self-imposed ban on tobacco sponsorship in 2006 could be called off this week in the wake of the European Union's decision to impose stringent new legislation, according to this week's AUTOSPORT magazine

The issue of tobacco sponsorship is to be tabled at a meeting of the World Council of the FIA in December 13. The council will consider abandoning efforts to rid motorsport of tobacco logos in response to the EU's desire to impose a tobacco advertising ban across its member states from July 2005.

FIA president Max Mosley has campaigned for a world ban to coincide with the October 1 2006 date that had been chosen for international motorsport, the date favoured by the World Health Organisation.

But with the EU having rejected such a date sources close to the governing body have revealed that it is now reconsidering its approach and may even decide that there is no point in continuing with its efforts for a unified worldwide ban in 2006. In this case, the FIA could choose to leave individual governments to decide on tobacco advertising in motorsport.

This could have a serious impact on the number of races staged in Europe, as races in countries without tobacco advertising bans would become more lucrative. An F1 sources said: "There would be an incentive to reduce races inside the EU and, if that happens, there is bound to be a five-year contract with these new events.

"That would allow the tobacco companies to pump their product into the EU [via television] long after 2006 - on the back of EU countries losing races."


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