Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Tobacco rules cancel Montreal Grand Prix

|
|
 
  
Published: Aug. 8, 2003 at 8:58 AM
Advertisement

MONTREAL, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Montreal has lost its 2004 Formula 1 Grand Prix race because of tobacco advertising laws, the Montreal Gazette reported Friday.

The federal government's anti-tobacco law was passed in 1997, but provided a seven-year grace period to allow events reliant on tobacco sponsorship to find replacements.

A grim Normand Legault, CEO of the Canadian Grand Prix promotion organization explained, "That means Michael Schumacher's Ferrari could not carry Marlboro's colors. Based on this, Formula One has the legal right to terminate our contract."

The cancellation of the 25-year-old event that draws tens of thousands of fans from around the world angered Mayor Gerald Tremblay, who said the move is no way to thank Montreal for helping popularize the race.

The event brings at least $50 million (CAD 75 million) to the city each year.

The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa was cancelled this season because of a similar tobacco ad ban.

Topics: Gerald Tremblay
© 2003 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Protesters, police clash at NATO summit Notable deaths of 2012 2012 Billboard Music Awards
The 137th Preakness Stakes Annual Solar eclipse occurs in U.S. Chen Guangcheng arrives in the U.S.
Additional Business News Stories
1 of 25
Protests at the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago
View Caption
fark
Waitress forgets to hit the virgin button, serves daiquiris to a pair of four-year-olds. Well, it's...
Attorney's "DWI DUDE" vanity plate request rejected. ASS MAN seen smirking
Planned Parenthood beats off all competitors when it comes to encouraging masturbation for elementary...
"Hello, 911? I wish to report a drunk driver. He's driving my car and looks exactly like me. I'm...
Bad news: it's National Vegetarian Week in the UK. Good news: the world's meatiest sandwich has...
US Airways jetliner en route from Paris to Charlotte, North Carolina, has been diverted to Bangor,...