European Parliament
President. –
Question No 36 by Didier Rod 
Subject: Implications of tobacco advertising for Community competition policy
Following the statements to the press by representatives of the International Automobile Federation (FIA), it seems that the FIA is threatening not to allow any further Formula 1 races to take place at any track in the EU Member States because of the new European directive on tobacco advertising which the Member States are required to transpose in 2005 at the latest. What conclusions does the Commission draw from this as regards competition law, particularly in the light of the agreements between the Commission and the FIA?
From the point of view of competition law, what is the Commission’s view regarding the FIA’s decision to leave it to the teams to decide whether to race or refuse to take part in races at tracks in Member States because of a law banning tobacco advertising during sporting events, in the light of the case law of the Court of Justice and the positions of the European Council, Commission and Parliament on sport?

