F1 facing ban on alcohol sponsorship

[John S]

Just when will do gooder socialist politicos let us be adults to enjoy both. 

But hey with cost capping on agenda maybe less sponsor money will help
to crystalize minds.

Trouble may be brewing around the issue of sports sponsorship by the alcohol industry. A leaked report last week from the UK's Labour Party revealed plans to ban alcohol sponsorship if they take office after next year's General Election. In a pattern strikingly familiar to the successful effort to ban tobacco sponsorship a broad coalition of European health activists and legislators are gearing up for a battle to toughen anti-alcohol legislation. According to Professor Joe Barry of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland a ban is "inevitable" and "it will be seen as crazy to have allowed alcohol sponsorship of sport, in the same way as tobacco".

In the UK a ban on alcohol sponsorship is already supported by powerful voices such as the British Medical Association and the House of Commons Health Select Committee. The MPs have called for a UK version of France's Loi Évin, which bans alcohol advertising on television, in cinemas, and from sponsoring of sporting events. Next year the European Commission will launch a new 'Alcohol Strategy' and it is possible, even likely, that action to regulate sports sponsorship will be included. This would be in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation's 'Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Effects of Alcohol'.

These developments come at a difficult time for F1, facing budget pressures but also a growing profile in alcohol sponsorship. Earlier this month Force India announced a new sponsorship agreement with Smirnoff which now joins Martini and Johnny Walker as major brands in the sport. The sensitivity about alcohol sponsorship in motor racing is especially acute because of the role of drinking in road accidents. In the European Union 25% of all road deaths are attributed to alcohol misuse and it is estimated that 6,500 deaths would be avoided if all drivers obeyed drink driving laws.

No doubt the alcohol and advertising industry will oppose EU proposals for a ban but there is understandable caution about alcohol sponsorship in motor sport. The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) has issued voluntary guidelines for the alcohol industry which warns that; "Particular care should be taken of alcohol sponsorships where motor sport is involved and, in such cases, appropriate messages regarding responsible drinking should be communicated". Arguably the ESA guidelines mean that the likes of Smirnoff or Martini ought to be paying for 'don't drink and drive' warnings alongside their logos on F1 wings and side pods. For the health lobby the weak application of voluntary guidelines like the ESA's are exactly the justification needed for legislative action.

The emergence of the alcohol sponsorship issue will also be a major challenge for the FIA and Jean Todt who has made road safety a major theme of his Presidency. In the 1990s former FIA President Max Mosley tried to broker a compromise deal on tobacco with the EU to gain time for teams to find alternative sponsors. He succeeded but the sport was mired in controversy as a result.

Now Jean Todt faces the awkward tightrope of similarly defending the interests of the sport and maintaining a credible commitment to road safety. This will be no easy task and makes the FIA's relationship with the WHO especially sensitive as it is the United Nation's agency with responsibility not just for alcohol control but also road safety.

Pitpass.com, Mon 12th May.

[Jericoke]

In Canada there are more accidents caused by distracted driving than there is by drunk driving.

If Johny Walker is out because it is dangerous, then surely Vodaphone should be considered monstrous.

[Ian]

All this PC and nannying from these hypocrites gets right up my nose. What government refuses the huge income in taxes they get from tobacco and alcohol sales ? If a drunk driver is arrested, just crush the vehicle and everything in it, whatever it's worth, same with mobile phone use when driving. When you are driving you are in charge of a deadly weapon and you should be treated likewise.

[Scott]

I was thrilled to see Williams get the Martini sponsorship.

I get a little tired of governments who ban advertising of a product, while not placing any controls on the product they don't want advertised.  All a bit hypocritical, isn't it?  The tax grab is ok, but don't allow a bad product to sponsor a good sport.   

[cosworth151]

We tried that here in the States, back in the 1920's. Didn't work out at all well. Perhaps your governmental prudes should study history.

[Ian]

It's all do as I say and not what I do Cos. The House of Commons is all heavily subsidised for booze and food, they can buy a pint for less than we commoners can.

[Monty]

Right let's ban sponsorship from all sectors that are dangerous to health. So that will be:-
Tobacco
Alcohol
Chocolate - fattening and high in cholesterol
Sweets (candies) - fattening and bad for our teeth
Fast food - that wipes out a big chunk of racing in the USA
Household detergents - chemicals cause skin problems and damage the environment
Petrol - !!!!!!
Oil - !!!!!!!!
Tyres -
 

[Dare]

Right let's ban sponsorship from all sectors that are dangerous to health. So that will be:-
Tobacco
Alcohol
Chocolate - fattening and high in cholesterol
Sweets (candies) - fattening and bad for our teeth
Fast food - that wipes out a big chunk of racing in the USA
Household detergents - chemicals cause skin problems and damage the environment
Petrol - !!!!!!
Oil - !!!!!!!!
Tyres -
 

Don't forget television.It influences our youth and
causes them to do horrendous deeds

[Scott]

Carbohydrates.  Ban them all.  And Airlines...who pollutes more than airlines.  Cows produce more CO2 than even the airlines...no more beef!

[Vince]

What about energy drinks and caffeine? And electronic cigarettes? 
Surely they should be banned too according to these 'rules'?...

[Vince]

 Not to mention motor-racing itself... 

[F1fanaticBD]

Drawing parallel with Tobacco should not be done, because in terms of health issue, you cannot compare them. Alcohol can be controlled in many ways, and the side-effects can be greatly reduced, while smoking had hardly good thing to say about and effects every bit if body.

[Monty]

yas, I drunk lotts of alcohool and they aven't ffected me att ooll 

[Jericoke]

Drawing parallel with Tobacco should not be done, because in terms of health issue, you cannot compare them. Alcohol can be controlled in many ways, and the side-effects can be greatly reduced, while smoking had hardly good thing to say about and effects every bit if body.

I believe the issue is connecting alcohol with driving.  Race cars shouldn't be sponsored by alcohol companies, since you shouldn't drink and drive.

I don't agree with the idea, but I can see the merit in their thinking.

If they're just trying to blanket ban alcohol, then they're nuts.

[Monty]

If they're just trying to blanket ban alcohol, then they're nuts.

Forget everything else and just accept that they are indeed 'nuts'!

Did anyone ever see an F1 car and think; oh, I must take up smoking and drinking.
Being a non-smoker and a complete car fanatic, for years I thought John Player Specials were fantastic F1 race cars and was even naive enough that when I finally saw black and gold cigarette packs in a shop I thought they had named the cigarettes after the cars that I loved so much!
For the Brits, do you remember the uproar when Durex were sponsoring cars. I mean Durex are all about safety so why the fuss?