Europe’s health chief has asked China to ban tobacco advertising ahead of the grand prix in Shanghai later this month.
EU commissioner Markos Kyprianou said that while his laws do not apply in China, images of the cigarette logos will be beamed via television images back into European homes.
“In a way it undermines and limits the effectiveness of our own legislation in protecting citizens, especially young people, from this kind of tobacco marketing,” he told AP when explaining the content of his meeting with Chinese vice health minister Chen Xiaohong.
Most tobacco advertising in China is banned, but an exemption exists for formula one.
Kyprianou said further talks with China will take place.
