SEPTEMBER 1, 2005

Honghe signs a deal with Shanghai

China's Honghe tobacco company has signed a deal to sponsor the Chinese Grand Prix, despite the Chinese government ratifying the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which prohibits tobacco advertising, promotion and event sponsorships in China. The country also has national laws banning tobacco advertising.

The government will not be blocking the deal because Honghe argues that it is using its corporate name rather than the cigarette brand. The two are the same.