More than 60 organizations demand that F1 end tobacco-linked sponsorships

More than 60 Spanish and European organizations are demanding that Formula One stop promoting tobacco-linked products before the championship arrives in Madrid from Sept. 11 to 13.

The letter to F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali was signed by 67 groups, including Nofumadores.org, the National Committee for the Prevention of Smoking, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the Spanish Association Against Cancer, Facua, the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention, Action on Smoking and Health, and the European Public Health Association.

The organizations focused on two teams. Ferrari has expanded its agreement with Philip Morris International to promote Zyn, the company’s nicotine pouch brand. McLaren has kept its partnership with British American Tobacco, which serves as a global platform for brands including Velo.

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Madrid cannot become a giant showcase for the tobacco industry to normalize new nicotine products among children, teenagers and young people.

“Madrid cannot become a giant showcase for the tobacco industry to normalize new nicotine products among children, teenagers and young people,” said Raquel Fernández, president of Nofumadores.org, which led the letter. “If Formula One was able to leave cigarette advertising behind, it must now act with the same determination against the new strategies of an industry seeking to remain present in sport.”

The groups said Formula One can project team-linked brands through broadcasts, digital platforms, social media and news outlets worldwide. They cited Formula One figures showing that more than four million children aged 8 to 12 actively follow the championship in the European Union and United States. They also said 54% of its TikTok followers and 40% of its Instagram followers are under 25. At the same time, F1 has strengthened its appeal to children and families through deals with Disney, LEGO and Hot Wheels.

The Spanish initiative follows an international campaign launched on March 4, when more than 160 organizations from 57 countries called for the ban on cigarette sponsorships to be extended to new tobacco and nicotine products. The Madrid Grand Prix, the groups said, gives Formula One an opportunity to make a clear choice.

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If Formula One was able to leave cigarette advertising behind, it must now act with the same determination against the new strategies of an industry seeking to remain present in sport.