National tobacco advertising bans could go up in
smoke, warn European doctors
19 November 2002
National medical associations from all 15 EU member
states - representing more than one million doctors
- today urged members of the European parliament (MEPs)
to act to save national restrictions on tobacco advertising.
The evidence shows that tobacco advertising increases
tobacco consumption. Banning tobacco advertising saves
lives. But where national bans have been introduced,
advertising of tobacco across borders undermines their
success.
This week in Strasbourg, the European Parliament
will vote on a European Commission proposal aimed
at ending cross-border tobacco advertising. But doctors'
leaders warn that in its current form, the Directive
could jeopardise national advertising bans. In an
open letter, they call all MEPs to vote to include
a 'safeguard' clause to protect national bans.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, Head of Science and Ethics
at the British Medical Association said:
'We support the Commission's proposal to end cross-border
advertising. But as it stands, this Directive could
do more harm than good, by threatening hard-won national
legislation. Without a safeguard clause, the Directive
could pave the way for tobacco companies to drag governments
through the courts'.
Dr Jesper Poulsen, President of the Danish Medical
Association said:
'Doctors have been key players in securing national
advertising bans - we can't stand by and see these
go up in smoke. That's why we're calling on all members
of the European Parliament to support the Directive
and to vote for the safeguard clause'.
Notes
1. National advertising bans are now in place in ten
EU countries - Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland,
Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the UK.
2. The Tobacco Advertising Directive is proposed by
the European Commission (2001/0119 COD).
3. Medical associations are calling on MEPs to reject
amendments tabled by the EP Committee on Legal Affairs
and the Internal Market (Manuel Medina Ortega report)
and in favour of those tabled by Mrs Heidi Hautala,
MEP.
Keywords: Tobacco; advertising bans
For further information please contact :
Franca Tranza 020 7383 6188
Public Affairs Division After 6:00 pm and weekends:
British Medical Association 020 8997 3653
BMA House, Tavistock Square 020 8674 6294,
London WC1H 9JP 020 8444 7992
020 8651 5130
01525 379 792
BMA web site: www.bma.org.uk
Email: pressoffice@bma.org.uk
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