Tobacco advert deal on the cards

Date: 02/10/1997

THE Luxembourg presidency will table its formal compromise text on proposals to ban tobacco advertising across the EU next week in the hope of paving the way for concrete agreement among health ministers in December.

Members of the Council of Ministers working party on health will discuss the finer details of the compromise at a meeting on Tuesday (7 October).

With a Labour government now in power in the UK, officials are hoping that a different approach from the British will be enough to stop the blocking minority which has held up progress on the issue since 1989.

In its election manifesto, Labour supported a ban on tobacco advertising in the UK. But it subsequently decided to begin by launching a White Paper on the fight against tobacco by the end of the year, instead of coming forward with immediate proposals for legislation.

The latest presidency compromise includes a new article which would give sponsorship by tobacco companies a temporary derogation from the ban for three years after the directive came into force.

The move reflects fears that stopping tobacco sponsorship would have a devastating impact on many sports events, such as Grand Prix racing, and is an attempt to take into account the existence of long-term sponsorship contracts and the large sums of money involved.

The compromise text also provides for certain exceptions to the European Commission's original proposals.

The new plan would exempt advertisements for tobacco products in trade journals and in publications originating outside the Union, as well as the advertising of tobacco products between individuals, and tobacco price lists.

The UK has suggested small amendments to the latest text, but officials are optimistic that with British support for a ban, enough consensus can be found to get agreement at the next meeting of health ministers on 4 December.

The Netherlands, Germany and Greece - which are among the biggest exporters and producers of tobacco in the EU - are unlikely to drop their long-standing opposition to a ban.

But there are signs that Denmark, which has in the past been opposed to the idea for ideological reasons related to freedom of speech, is now willing to consider it. Even if it does not, British support would be enough for the proposal to go through by a qualified majority vote.

The Commission this week expressed optimism that a deal was in sight.

“My understanding is that the issue is progressing very well. There are still some details to be ironed out, but I am optimistic that that can be achieved over the coming months. We look forward to a common position in December,” said Barbara Nolan, spokeswoman for Health Commissioner Pádraig Flynn.