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Excerpts from: New EU move on tobacco ads ban 'leaves loopholes'

By Grace Sung Straits Times [12/04/02]

The measures may not be effective as cigarette firms will shift to indirect advertising, say critics
 
 A decision by the European Union to ban cigarette advertisements from newspapers, magazines, the Internet and international sporting events starting in 2005 did not go far enough to curb the deadly habit, according to anti-smoking advocates. . .
But anti-tobacco groups were disappointed, particularly over one issue: Advertising will be allowed on posters, billboards, cinemas and through indirect advertising, for instance on clothing.

The British anti-smoking health charity Ash said the measures left a 'giant loophole' and may not be effective at all.

Ash director Clive Bates said tobacco companies would just shift to indirect advertising.

'If you leave the tobacco companies the option to advertise cigarette brands using boots, clothing, adventure sports or other non-tobacco products, then that is what they will do,' he said.

'The budgets will just shift into this type of promotion and spending will be just as high as ever.'