Formula One slammed for Tobacco Advertising

Tobacco companies have been seen sponsoring the top Formula One racing teams and their funds seem to increase in these times despite the ban.

In a recent report called, “Driving Addiction: F1 and Tobacco Advertising,” by STOP, the tobacco industry watchdog has found that the tobacco industry has started spending more on sponsorships.

The report also found that tobacco companies have spent around $4.4 billion on advertising in the past 70 years. Due to its harmful effects and influence, their sponsorships were banned in the industry but recently there is a great rise in the fund which has alarmed WHO.

Ruediger Krech, Health Promotion Chief at WHO said,” “Promoting these products attracts new tobacco users, especially among young people, causing harm for generations to come. we must not go backward in the fight against tobacco.”

The International Automobile Federation (IAF) has banned tobacco industry sponsors at first but later the wall was thinned down. Leading tobacco companies like British American Tobacco and Phillip Morris are expected to spend $115 Million on F1 Ferrari and McLaren teams this year.

“The FIA claims that it wants to promote a net positive contribution to society. That’s not possible while it is still linked to an industry that causes such harm,” said Mary Assunta of STOP. According to the concerns of these organizations, as the game is being followed by millions of young fans all around the world, the promotion of such harmful products might influence youngsters to buy them.