European Commission putting pressure on GermanyThe 2006 German Grand Prix is likely to be the country's last puff on cigarette advertising.
After an advisor to the European Court of Justice recently warned Germany to fall in line with continent-wide bans, the European
Commission on Wednesday indicated that it would indeed refer the matter to the Court.
The part of the law relating to Formula One is the 'cross-border' element, according to AFX news agency. In other words, while it is arguable that Germany can enact its own legislation for tobacco advertising, the EC is concerned that cigarette logos displayed on F1 cars at Hockenheim, for example, are then beamed via the press and TV throughout Europe.
The European Commission warned Germany in a letter in October 2005 and again in February '06.
''I am determined to hold all member states to account for their implementation of this ... legislation,'' said health and consumer protection commissioner Markos Kyprianou, ''and if this means referring the matter to the Court, so be it.''
Source GMM CAPSIS International
