§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of withdrawal of tobacco sponsorship on sport; and if he will make a statement. [14904]
§ Mr. BanksWe are looking very carefully at how best to achieve an end to the advertising and promotion of tobacco at sports events in a way which will minimise any damage to the sports concerned. Discussions are underway within Government on how best to achieve this and I am consulting the sports concerned. Plans include a transitional period. The Government will publish a White Paper next year setting out measures to tackle tobacco consumption.
After considering the issue of sponsorship in great depth the Government has proposed excluding Formula One from the scope of the proposed EU Directive on tobacco advertising and sponsorship which is currently being negotiated. We have always made clear that we are 468W pursuing twin objectives of reducing smoking and of safeguarding sport from any effects arising from the loss of tobacco sponsorship. The fact is that a blanket Europe-wide ban on Formula One sponsorship would not only mean fewer Grand Prix in Europe, but also, perversely, more tobacco advertising on our TV screens beamed in from events outside the European Union.