formula 1 ban for europe!!

[possessed_beaver]

by the sounds of it, young bernie is throwing his weight around and telling the goverments what to do

The European Union is aiming to start the ban in July 2005, more than a year before a date initially agreed with F1. "I hope we can get this sorted out so we don't have to keep disappearing out of Europe, which is the last thing we want," said Ecclestone. He said it was "silly" that motor racing would not be given an exemption. Ecclestone remarks came as he announced a new deal for the Spanish Grand Prix that will keep it on the calendar until 2011. But he emphasised that he can terminate the contract of any race if the country in which it is held introduces a tobacco advertising ban.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/3696339.stm

more^

[Drogear]

I agree with you about him throwing his weight around, but with the amount of money that formula 1 brings in for Europe and all over the world, I think that he makes a good argument.

[3D_CARD]

Part of the bernie's statement is true -- No one will start smoking because of Michael's red car, and today most drivers don't smoke at all.

Do I sound a bit smoky?

[bobafett]

Well, Michael enjoys a cigar after every win....that's a lot of cigars!

And tobacco advertising has been prevalent in Formula 1 for eons...they're spending money for a reason.

--Dan

[Vansquish]

What I don't quite understand is the fact that Bernie must realize how much money F1 makes even without the sponsorship from tobacco companies. I'd like to see tobacco/alcohol sponsorship logos disappear completely...people already know the products are out there, so why not leave them to their own devices (at least in terms of sporting event sponsorship)? Advertise on billboards on highways or something instead....yarrgh...sorry about the rant...my dad just broke his habit of "quitting" a few days ago and is now back to a pack a day or thereabouts. It's really getting on my nerves, especially since it's going to be his end in one way or another.