(3 Dec 1997) Eng/French/Nat
European Union health ministers will vote on Thursday on whether to ban tobacco advertising throughout the E-U.
The issue has highlighted sharp divisions among the 15 nations, especially as the ban would outlaw sponsorship of major sporting events by tobacco companies.
Formula One racing has threatened to move to Asia if the ban comes into place, saying it will be impossible to work from Europe with a ban on tobacco company sponsorship.
To Andre Maes, the wooded hills that surround the Francorchamps race track in Belgium and provide a distinct, picturesque view are less important to it than the tobacco that is grown nowhere near the circuit.
Tobacco is sponsorship, and sponsorship is survival.
The future of the Belgian Grand Prix track hangs in the balance and could well be decided on Thursday when E-U health ministers vote on banning tobacco advertising across the 15-nation E-U.
Maes and thousands of people across Europe depend on Formula One for their livelihood.
They're hoping the big business punch that the sport can pack will overcome the public health argument - that more advertising equals more smoking, equals more cigarette-related deaths.
If not, he fears the worst.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"Our mixed feelings does not only implicate the purely economical reasons, and right there we fear that advertisement for tobacco will not be allowed anymore. We are almost certain that this implicates that Formula 1 will disappear in Belgium and maybe in Europe."
SUPER CAPTION: Andre Maes, Director, Francorchamps race track
Heavily dependent on tobacco sponsorship, Formula One Grand Prix racing is one of Europe's favourite sports and a television hit around the world.
If cigarette advertising goes, Formula One warns it will follow - out of Europe and into Asia and beyond.
There is no viable funding alternative, they claim.
SOUNDBITE: (French)
"If alternatives really exist why wouldn't we have used them by now on top of tobacco sponsorship. We could have taken chocolate, milk ... do you think we haven't already tried?"
SUPER CAPTION: Andre Maes, Director, Francorchamps race track
Britain is insisting Formula One receive some exemption, even if it means risking the whole E-U tobacco advertising bill.
Prime Minister Tony Blair says 50-thousand jobs are at stake.
After promising to back an advertising ban, Blair was sharply criticised for seeking an exemption of Formula One last month.
Criticism turned into a political scandal when it was reported that Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone had contributed one (m) million pounds (1.67 (m) million U-S dollars) to Blair's Labour Party election campaign coffers.
Pressure from a strong tobacco lobby has kept the E-U undecided since its first attempt to impose a total advertising ban in 1989.
This time, a last-minute compromise could exempt Formula One racing from a total ban for at least three years.
Whatever the small print of the agreement, the principle would be a major step forward in the fight against tobacco, says the European Health Commissioner.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The essential thing is, that finally the proposal will be adopted and a major step forward in the protection of public health will have been put in place."
SUPER CAPTION: Padraig Flynn, EU Commissioner for Health and Social affairs
The compromise to exempt Formula One wouldn't be an ideal outcome.
But Flynn feels it's better finally to have a deal on the table than no agreement at all.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Padraig Flynn, EU commissioner for health and social affairs
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