An offensive against cigarette advertising and sponsorship starts in Brussels. “We want to break the link between tobacco consumption and the positive image, of social acceptance, which is transmitted by advertising campaigns”, explained EU Health Commissioner David Byrne, presenting the directive approved by the EU Commission banning advertising in newspapers and periodicals of the printed paper distributed in the EU and in radio and Internet transmissions. The new legislation also decrees the blackout in the sponsorship of events, in particular sports, by the big tobacco multinationals. The provision mainly concerns Formula One, which will have to find new financiers. When he races on European circuits, Ferrari will also have to cover the image of his main sponsor. The procedural process should therefore not encounter major obstacles and the new rules should become operational as of 2004.