In the UK it is illegal to show tobacco advertisements on certain television programs, like sporting events. Today, a bar code painted on the spine of a Formula-1 race car is causing problems for Marlboro and the Ferrari F1 cars sponsored by the cigarette maker. This story is worth reading if for this quote alone:
“The bar code looks like the bottom half of a packet of Marlboro cigarettes. I was stunned when I saw it. This is pushing at the limits. If you look at how the bar code has evolved over the last four years, it looks like creeping branding.” -prominent English physician John Britton.
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Are bar codes “advertisements”? We certainly didn’t recognize this, but then again maybe the UK packages Marlboros differently than here. Anyway this doctor is saying that because the races are aired on TV, this constitutes a breach of UK law and the entire F-1 series should be taken off air until the cars are changed.
More: “Does Limited Cigarette Marketing Restrict Free Speech?”