The Alliance for Sponsorship Freedom, a group of 370
sports, arts and entertainment organizations "backed by the
tobacco industry," has presented a list of amendments to new
Canadian anti-smoking legislation, according to Anne Dawson
of the TORONTO SUN. The alliance wants to be able to
promote international events, such as the Molson Indy, and
their tobacco sponsors off-site for three months prior to,
and one month after, the events. It also wants to promote
the events and tobacco sponsors without restrictions in
terms of the size of signs. The legislation is on hold as
the government is considering "a host of new amendments,
including a three-year phase-in period" (TORONTO SUN, 2/12).
GETTING BURNED: The word "Marlboro" is not on banners
this year on FL state roads promoting the Marlboro-sponsored
Grand Prix of Miami. Under a new policy, the state now bars
cigarette advertising on "state road rights-of-way."
Marlboro maker Philip Morris "does not anticipate any impact
on its sales promotion or visibility" at the Grand Prix as a
result of the move (MIAMI HERALD, 2/12).
