UK tobacco ad ban exempts F1.

Hot on the heels of news that the Malaysian Grand Prix would not be affected by sweeping restrictions on tobacco promotion in the Far Eastern country comes the revelation that a proposed total ban in the UK will also exempt Formula One.

Determined to cut the human cost of smoking, the British government has announced that is seeking to push through a bill outlawing all forms of tobacco advertising - possibly as early as the end of the year. Already prohibited in print, the new rules would also immediately stub out internet and billboard advertising. Sponsorship - particularly of sports - is also a target, but the proposals will apparently allow events currently backed by tobacco companies six months to find alternative backers.

Formula One, however, could remain exempt until its own self-imposed tobacco cut-off of 2004, or the internationally-accepted deadline of 2006.

"We are determined to introduce a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising," public health minister Hazel Blears said, "A ban on tobacco advertising and promotion is an effective measure we can take to stop young people from starting to smoke and to reduce the numbers who will ultimately die every year from smoking-related diseases."

It is hoped that the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill will save up to 3000 lives a year.