NOVEMBER 10, 2004

Tobacco legislation closing in

The recent days have seen two more countries ratifying the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, bringing to 36 the number of governments that have ratified the deal. When that numbers reaches 40, the treaty will become law in 90 days, binding those who have ratified the deal to push to eradicate all tobacco sponsorships. This means that no deals can be struck between the governments and the motor racing authorities. The latest two countries to sign are Pakistan and the Seychelles and while neither is big in the racing world, it is now only a matter of time before the treaty reaches the necessary 40 countries. Once that happens we expect more countries to jump on the bandwagon.