EUROPEAN UNION CLOSER TO TOBACCO AD BAN
By Adnews Staff
The European Union is close to outlawing tobacco advertising and sponsorships throughout the 15-country membership. Last week, the ban suffered a setback after parliament's legal affairs committee said the plan was an abuse of power. But the legal affairs committee has only an advisory role, and its position was rejected this week by the environment and consumer affairs committee. Parliament will vote on the proposed legislation on May 12 and it is expected everyone will be in favor of it. The law will ban most advertising within three years. Press ads must end within four years, while event sponsorships will end within six years, although international events, such as Formula One auto racing, can receive sponsorships until 2006.