NOVEMBER 2, 2001

WHO on the attack again

THE World Health Organisation is pushing governments not to accept tobacco industry promises of self-regulation with regard to advertising. This is significant as tobacco companies remain the biggest sponsors in Formula 1 - at least for the next five years.

"We have seen no evidence that tobacco companies are capable of self-regulation," said Gro Harlem Brundtland, the director-general of the WHO.

The WHO is trying to get agreement on an international treaty known as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control but this is a slow process.

British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco and Philip Morris have got together recently to adopt measures to stop advertising aimed at young non-smokers.