Publishers Attack Tobacco Ban

Newspaper and magazine publishers have circulated a statement to MPs urging them to reject a bill that would ban all forms of tobacco advertising. The statement warns that such a ban would “amount to censorship and set a dangerous precedent.” The statement was signed by the Newspaper Publishers Association, the Newspaper Society and the Periodical Publishers Association.

The bill, proposed by Labour MP Kevin Baron, has attracted more support than expected, with its second reading voted in by 227 to 17. The Advertising Association has estimated that the publishing industry would lose about £50m a year in advertising revenue if a ban goes ahead.