Brussels
The European Union has outlawed all tobacco advertising in newspapers and magazines, on the Internet, and at international sporting events. The ads are already forbidden on television. Giving away freebie cigarettes for promotions is also now illegal. But tobacco companies can still get the word out through billboards, posters, and movie-theater commercials. Just two of the 15 E.U. countries voted against the new ban: Germany, which said the limits were too restrictive and would hurt its already ailing magazine industry, and Britain, which said they were not restrictive enough. “If there is any gap in the directive,” said British Health Secretary Alan Milburn, “the industry will seek to exploit it.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The best shows to see at Edinburgh Fringe 2025The Week Recommends The world's biggest arts festival is back with an incredible line-up
-
Wonsan-Kalma: North Korea's new 'mammoth' beach resortUnder the Radar Pyongyang wants to boost tourism but there won't be many foreign visitors to Kim Jong Un's 'pet project'
-
The 5 best TV reboots of all timeThe Week Recommends Finding an entirely new cast to play beloved characters is harder than it looks
