Richard Branson says that exempting Formula One motor racing from the ban on tobacco advertising "just doesn't stack up."

On the BBC's Breakfast with Frost, Mr Branson said that all sports should be treated equally. He said the Government's plan to allow "rich" sports, like motor racing, to accept tobacco sponsorship puts "poor" sports, like snooker and cricket, at a disadvantage.

Motor racing should not get special treatment

"If for instance, you leave Formula One being allowed to take tobacco advertising, they would then have a monopoly on tobacco advertising," Mr Branson said. "The tobacco advertisers would pour billions, even more billions, into their sports."

The Government asked Mr Branson two months ago to see if alternative sponsors would be available to replace tobacco advertisers at sports events.

Mr Branson also criticised the proposed 10-year time limit on tobacco advertising.

"Ten years is a bit long. I think a compromise of something like seven years is something that most people would be happier to go along with," he said.

He added that all sports should be subject to the same time limit. "I don't think you can have one sport - especially poorer sports - having lesser time than the richer sports. I think that rather makes an ass of things. If you are going to have seven years, it is going to have to be seven years for all sports."

Mr Branson also said that the Government is mistaken in its belief that Britain would lose motor racing if it banned tobacco advertising.

"The talent for building motor racing cars is Britain," he said. "If you talk to the people who run these teams, they don't have any intention of going overseas."

 
Richard Branson: Don't slight poor sports

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