UK: Government Announces Ad Ban

The UK Government has announced that it will ban tobacco advertising, and will explore other measures to augment the ban with the objective of reducing tobacco consumption in the UK. It will do so after a white paper consultation process and after examining the results of a forthcoming seminar of British and international experts in the field of smoking reduction. Tessa Jowell MP, Public Health Minister, said that the Government would also have to consider how to ban tobacco advertising without risking the viability of sporting events. The announcement, in the Queen’s Speech on 14 May, was widely expected. By opting for a white paper, the Government also signalled that while it was determined to implement the ban, it was also determined to consult widely and carefully on the measure.