Tobacco link slated

Press, 3 February 1982, Page 14

Tobacco link slated

PA Wellington The chairman of a Health ( Department committee ‘ which advises the Government on smoking and health would like to see cigarette manufacturers end their association with sports. Mr G. W. Holland, a Christchurch surgeon, said there should be no link between sport and cigarette manufacturers. “Up to now the Government has been fairly reluctant to control smoking advertising by legislation because it considers it has got a reasonable distance through voluntary means," he said. But this voluntary agreement had not gone as far as he would like. “For example," said Mr Holland, “the manufacturers say that in the promotion of sporting events they just use the company name and do not advertise smoking. But we feel the company name itself is associated by people with cigarettes." A report from London says that cigarette manufacturers in Britain will be required to print a health warning on tickets and promotional material for sporting events sponsored by them, such as the John Player Cricket League.