CAN: Commons Votes Ad Ban

Canada’s House of Commons has voted overwhelmingly in favour of imposing strict laws on the advertising of tobacco products. By 139 votes to 37, the MPs voted in favour of banning tobacco advertising on TV, radio, outdoor posters and on buses. Furthermore the legislation would restrict tobacco manufacturers to covering a maximum of 10% of posters promoting sports, artistic and other sponsored public events. Tobacco company and brand logos would be banned from racing cars and the clothes of their drivers. There are also restrictions on tobacco sales. The proposed legislation now goes to the upper house, the Senate, for approval. The passage of the bill will not, however, be an easy one, as senators appear unwilling to co-operate with health minister David Dingwall’s intention to get the measure through the Senate before the federal elections which are expected by the autumn of this year.