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Belgium prepares probe into Politico tobacco sponsorship
A vintage advertisement in the US for Lucky Strike, one of British American Tobacco's most famous brands. Advertisements like this are banned in European media, but 'sponsorship' by tobacco companies persist (Photo: Bruce Henschel)
By PETER TEFFER
BRUSSELS, 27. JUN, 17:14
Belgian authorities are investigating whether a sponsorship deal between British American Tobacco (BAT) and EU affairs news website Politico violated tobacco advertising laws.
They are also looking into an event organised in the European Parliament last year, which was sponsored by Japan Tobacco International (JTI).
The cases show how Big Tobacco is continuing to try and test the limits of an EU-wide ban on tobacco advertising, in place since 2003.
Since Monday, the well-read Politico newsletter Playbook has appeared with "supported by British American Tobacco" in the headline.
More:
https://euobserver.com/health/145285
