EU feels the heat in bid to stub out smoking advertisements

THERE is quite a battle going on in Europe over the whole issue of tobacco and smoking. At the moment it is focused on tobacco advertising, where the pull of national and commercial interests are very obvious.

On the one hand, the EU spends almost €1 billion a year subsidising the tobacco growers in several member states while on the other hand they are paying for an €18 million anti-smoking campaign.

In the meantime, the Tobacco Advertising Directive is having a difficult time getting through the system. The previous directive banning advertising fell when it was appealed to the courts by German and British interests.