- News>
- Motorsports
FIA withdraws ban on tobacco sponsorship
Paris, June 26: Formula One`s governing body is backing off plans to ban tobacco sponsorship.
Paris, June 26: Formula One's governing body is backing off plans to ban tobacco sponsorship.
FIA yesterday said it cannot enforce a ban and will now only "recommend" that the sport refrain from tobacco advertising starting in the 2007 season.
The EU imposed a ban on tobacco advertising for 2005, but FIA took the union to court in April in an effort to push back the date.
Yesterday, FIA called for a voluntary ban starting October 1, 2006. In a statement, FIA said, "on legal advice the FIA has withdrawn the ban on tobacco sponsorship in motor sport voted in October 2000 (for implementation in 2006) and substituted the following as recommendation:
"That motor sport promoters and competitors (including circuit owners, event organisers, teams and drivers) should cease all forms of tobacco sponsorship from October 1, 2006."
FIA president Max Mosley has said a ban in 2005 could threaten some European races that rely heavily on tobacco advertising. F1 teams had contracts until 2006 and the EU's decision would limit the number of European races they could compete in, he said.
FIA has already begun shifting races away from Europe, with Belgium and Austria losing their Grand Prix. Bahrain and China are due to be included on the 2004 calendar instead.
Of the 10 F1 teams competing this year, five rely on tobacco sponsorship -- Ferrari, Mclaren, Jordan, Renault and BAR.
Bureau Report
FIA yesterday said it cannot enforce a ban and will now only "recommend" that the sport refrain from tobacco advertising starting in the 2007 season.
The EU imposed a ban on tobacco advertising for 2005, but FIA took the union to court in April in an effort to push back the date.
Yesterday, FIA called for a voluntary ban starting October 1, 2006. In a statement, FIA said, "on legal advice the FIA has withdrawn the ban on tobacco sponsorship in motor sport voted in October 2000 (for implementation in 2006) and substituted the following as recommendation:
"That motor sport promoters and competitors (including circuit owners, event organisers, teams and drivers) should cease all forms of tobacco sponsorship from October 1, 2006."
FIA president Max Mosley has said a ban in 2005 could threaten some European races that rely heavily on tobacco advertising. F1 teams had contracts until 2006 and the EU's decision would limit the number of European races they could compete in, he said.
FIA has already begun shifting races away from Europe, with Belgium and Austria losing their Grand Prix. Bahrain and China are due to be included on the 2004 calendar instead.
Of the 10 F1 teams competing this year, five rely on tobacco sponsorship -- Ferrari, Mclaren, Jordan, Renault and BAR.
Bureau Report