The European Union (EU) has voted to outlaw tobacco advertising in newspapers and magazines, on the internet and at sports events.  The restrictions - most of which will take effect from 2005 - were approved by health ministers from 13 of the 15 EU nations.  Tobacco advertising on TV/radio was eliminated years ago.

"Ministers today hit the tobacco cartel where it hurts," Health Commissioner David Byrne said in a statement.   "In the EU alone, Big Tobacco needs to recruit 500,000 new smokers each year to replace the ones who die prematurely due to smoking-related diseases," said Mr. Byrne.  "The measures we agreed on today will make it more difficult for them to do that."

Under the new rules, tobacco companies will also be barred from distributing free tobacco products as a promotion.

 

"We are pleased with the EU's decision," said Joe Cherner, president of SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc. "It never made sense to have different rules for TV and radio than for magazines and newspapers.  We hope the U.S. will follow Europe's lead.  Tobacco addiction kills more than 400,000 Americans each year, and the only people who ever start smoking are children."

 

 

Joseph W. Cherner, President
SmokeFree Educational Services, Inc.
http://www.smokefree.org

 

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