Government Announces Ban On Tobacco Advertising

Tobacco advertising on billboards will be banned by the end of next year as part of a renewed Government drive to get people to cut down on smoking. The Government is investing £100 million to cut the number of people smoking by 1.5 million by the year 2010.

As well as targeting billboard, magazine and press advertising (all of which will be banned at the same time, next summer), the Government also hopes to ban tobacco sponsorship of sports and arts by 2003. The sponsorship of Formula One competitions and cars are expected to be banned by 2006. Advertising in shops will also be limited to those stands which hold tobacco products.

Andrew Brown, director general at the Advertising Association, told Newsline that the ban is bad news for the advertising industry and the AA is opposed to it. He said that people were generally surprised at the speed at which the ban had gone through, and that it is expected to cost the industry £60 million a year.

Brown says that the AA has never accepted the Government’s argument that the aim of tobacco advertising is to recruit non-smokers into the habit. The IPA also opposes the Government ban.

The Government also announced an advertising campaign of its own, costing £50 million and aimed at warning young people of the dangers of smoking.

Advertising Association: 0171 828 2771