31/08/2007
NEWS STORY
EU health commissioner Markos Kyprianou appears to be setting his sights on Ferrari as he reveals that it is his aim to finally end Formula One's relationship with tobacco.
"Formula 1 is a symbol," he told Financial Times Deutschland. "We have to reduce tobacco advertising as much as possible so that we can eliminate the influence on young people."
Currently, tobacco advertising is only allowed at three races, those in Bahrain, China and Monaco. However Kyprianou is determined to make the organizers of the events see sense, while also targeting Ferrari, the only team to maintain a relationship with Tobacco.
"F1 drivers are regarded as heroes," he said. "They become role models. Consequently, the young people watch these people with tobacco logos on their chest and they get entirely the wrong message."
Referring specifically to Ferrari, which enjoys massive support from Philip Morris, which manufactures Marlboro, he said: "most teams have already found other sponsors".
Kyprianou has a meeting planned with Prince Albert of Monaco and also plans to discuss the matter with the Chinese government during a visit next week.