FEBRUARY 24, 2005

Anti-tobacco treaty becomes law this weekend

On Sunday the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control will become law in the 57 countries which have signed up the treaty. They will now uphold a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. It remains to be seen whether or not countries will try to snake out of the deal with special exemptions for Formula 1 races - there are bound to be some governments which will be under pressure to look the other way - but they will come under international pressure to comply and it is likely that any transgressions will be attacked by the fellow signatories of the treaty, indeed in the terms of the treaty, they are bound to oppose any breach of the deal.