[Greens-Media] Tobacco sponsorship deal for racing industry still a threat

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
24 October 2008


Tobacco sponsorship deal for racing industry still a threat


The attempt to allow tobacco sponsorship of NSW racing events could still become law Greens MP and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon warned today. 

"The government and the opposition voted together to pass the Public Health (Tobacco) Bill 2008 in the Lower House which means the sponsorship deal has passed the first hurdle," Ms Rhiannon said.

"This is not a drafting error it is a serious political blunder. The section in the Bill about sponsorship deals is substantial and it reads quite clearly that the racing industry has been given an exemption. 

"So far no one from the government or the opposition has unequivocally ruled out a return of tobacco sponsorship for racing events.

"The Greens will move amendments to remove the racing sponsorship section from the Bill but if the government and opposition again vote together they will have the numbers to retain the tobacco sponsorship deal section in the Bill. 

"Tobacco sponsorship deals for sporting events ended in the early 1990s although both the racing and tobacco industry have tried to reverse that position. In 2006 the Formula One race was given an exemption. 

"If the NSW legislation passes with the sponsorship clause intact it would be a huge boost to Premier Nathan Rees' attempts to lure more big racing events to Sydney. This could be part of an agenda to make Sydney attractive to the Formula One backers. 

"Under the new sponsorship provision in the Bill before the NSW parliament tobacco companies could not advertise their brands, but they could be given exclusive rights to sell their products and be named as  sponsors in official event material. 

"Premier Rees and Mr O'Farrell must publicly rule out any form of tobacco sponsorship. The mealy mouthed comments about drafting mistakes just adds to the concern that the tobacco industry has found a friendly ear in NSW," Rhiannon said.


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