Blowing Out Smoke

Ahh the European Union. Sometimes they do something of interest; other times they stick their noses where it doesn't really belong.

This been the case with the EU health commissioner, Markos Kyprianou. He's unhappy with Ferrari's rather nifty bypass of the law and that Monaco, Bahrain and China allow tobacco sponsorship. Okay, someone please send this guy a map because last time I checked, Bahrain and China were outside of the EU. Tectonic plates haven't shifted overnight! He went on to say that F1 drivers "can become role models. So the young people watch these people with tobacco signs on their chest and the wrong message goes out."

Okay, I don't know about the rest of you guys - but I never bought cigarettes because Ferrari sponsored them, not to mention I ain't on the Vodafone network because they sponsor McLaren, have an urge to do more for the environment because of Honda or drink Red Bull simply because it's on four F1 cars.

Ferrari and Marlboro had planned to get around it for quite a while before the ban came in place. The barcode is synonymous with Marlboro since they have always covered up their name with it, even back to the McLaren days.

I remember when the talk first begun there was even rumours that to ensure everyone new the car was sponsored by Marlboro was that Ferrari would just run with an un-sponsored red car with Marlboro essentially paying for every sponsor spot on the car. Of course it never came to it. Many expected Vodafone to replace Marlboro then, but they left for McLaren instead. If you are stupid enough, then well...

But yeah, today's F1 drivers can't smoke (at least not regularly!) Ain't like the days of James Hunt & company so how can they be joined at the hip with these sponsors.

Anyway, don’t governments make a shed load on ciggie taxes?