DECEMBER 16, 1996

Canada in danger

THE wave of anti-tobacco legislation around the world continues to cause problems for Formula 1 racing and now Canada looks like joining the crusade.

THE wave of anti-tobacco legislation around the world continues to cause problems for Formula 1 racing and now Canada looks like joining the crusade. The Canadian federal government is proposing tough new laws to ban tobacco advertising and during public hearings last week in Ottawa, Normand Legault, the president of the Canadian GP said that a tobacco advertising ban might lead to the cancellation of the race. He was backed up by Indycar chief executive Andrew Craig who said Indycar would not race in Canada if the law is passed in its current form.

Both argued for the need for an exemption for major international events - as happens in Australia - pointing out the damage that will be done to the local economies of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver if the races are canceled.