APRIL 3, 2002

Black and white Ferraris?

THE constantly attacking anti-tobacco lobby in the United States has come up with a new plan to try to stop the tobacco companies advertising their products in America.

The US Department of Justice is proposing that all tobacco advertising should be in black and white. This would thus make it impossible for Marlboro to use the famous red and white branding.

The tobacco companies say that if they are to be further legislated against in the United States then it must be done by Congress rather than by law suits. This is a strong argument as this is clearly what has been happening in recent years. Elected representatives are less likely to agree to tough legislation as they have to take into account job losses which would result from such actions. The judiciary and the lawyers do not worry themselves with such matters.

If the legislation was to go ahead Ferrari could have to race black and white cars in the United States of America.