ban on tobacco advertising

Since my childhood cigarettes have evoked a Third Man image of a shadowy figure in trench coat and trilby standing on a damp, grey, fog bound city street or leaning against the parapet of a deserted London bridge. An equally exotic woman would be drawn moth-like to the glowing tip of his cigarette "You're Never Alone With A Strand"

The European Union welcomed yesterday a continent-wide ban on tobacco advertising that will come into effect this week.

The move will prohibit tobacco advertising in the print media, on radio and over the Internet from July 31. It also bans the sponsorship of cross-border cultural and sporting events by tobacco companies.

Tobacco advertising on television has been banned in the EU for more than a decade. “Banning tobacco advertising is one of the most effective ways of reducing smoking,” said health and consumer protection commissioner Markos Kyprianou.

Well Guess what Mr Kyprianou. I am proud to advertise and will continue to smoke the following brands.

"You are never alone when you make a stand"