Australia's federal senate is urging the government to adopt a move to accelerate a total-ban on tobacco advertising at the annual Formula One GP. Led by Democrats health spokeswoman Lyn Allison, the senate condemned the unprecedented number of cigarette adverts at last weekend's Melbourne event.
Senators passed a motion urging the government to now cancel an exemption for Bernie Ecclestone's sport from next January, instead of the agreed October 2006. Allison said cigarette companies had never had as much exposure in Australia, through television images and newspaper photographs, than at Albert Park. She said it 'made a mockery' of Australia's supposed ban on tobacco-advertising. This year's grand prix cost taxpayers $10 million,' she added.
'But the health costs of more young people becoming addicted to cigarettes and nicotine as a result of this advertising spree will be far higher.'
The Senator slammed the federal government from turning a 'blind eye' to the escalation in tobacco promotion in favour of an international sports event. 'It's not Michael Schumacher who's the big winner from this year's event.'
Allison concluded: 'Instead it's the tobacco companies, who are deliberately targeting young people by linking smoking with fast cars and [the] lifestyle.'
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