BMA dismayed at blow to European ad ban

15 June 2000

The BMA today (15 June) expressed dismay at the ruling by the advocate general of the European Court of Justice against a Europe-wide ban on advertising tobacco products.

In an advisory ruling to the court, the advocate general ruled in favour of an appeal by four tobacco companies and the German government. The industry argues that introduction of the ban cannot be justified on the basis of harmonising markets across Europe.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Head of Science, Ethics and Health Policy said: 'The tobacco industry would have us believe that advertising has no affect on whether people smoke. Yet each year, in the UK alone, they spend over 100 million pounds promoting their products. The truth is that the industry advertises to replace the 550,000 Europeans that die from smoking each year. Every minute of every day, this lethal industry must recruit a new smoker'.

Commenting on yesterday's Health Select Committee Report, Dr Nathanson said: 'Actions speak louder than words. The tobacco industry tells us it has changed. It says it does not want children to smoke. Yet it continues to fight legislation that would protect young people from tobacco.'

Bans on tobacco advertising are already in place in several EU countries, including France and Finland. Ireland plans to introduce a ban on July 1st this year.

Notes to Editors:

1. In the EU in 1990, more than half a million people died as a result of their tobacco use.

2. The European Court of Justice is expected to reach a final decision in October 2000.

Fiona Simpson
Public Affairs Division
British Medical Association
BMA House,
Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9JP

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ENDS