SEPTEMBER 25, 2004

Chinese GP comes under attack

The prestigious British medical journal The Lancet has launched an attack on the Chinese Grand Prix, calling it "a race to the death" in its editorial. The Chinese have banned tobacco advertising but the Formula 1 circus has been given an exemption by the government. China is the world's largest cigarette market with an estimated 350m smokers.

"The very staging of this event constitutes a triumph for the tobacco companies, reflecting both the enormity of the commercial opportunity presented by China and the strategic value of the sport," The Lancet said.

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