Organisers of the grand prix in Bahrain have played down local reports that a looming ban on tobacco advertising could threaten the future of the formula one race.
Countries like Bahrain are reportedly seen by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone as a haven away from Europe’s tighter controls, but the Gulf nation is currently preparing to implement the World Health Organisation’s ‘Framework Convention for Tobacco Control’.
”It certainly does not have an effect on the race itself,” the circuit’s general manager Martin Whitaker was quoted as telling Gulf Daily News newspaper.
He added: ”It is fair to say that the consensus is away from tobacco in motor sport and this is something that is being promoted by the (FIA).”
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