I have reached agreement with the tobacco industry on its continuing sponsorship of sport. The main features are:
(a) the agreement to run until at least 31 December 1985;(b) the existing expenditure ceiling, namely the actual expenditure in 1976, adjusted for inflation, to be maintained;(c) Government health warnings to appear on press and poster advertising for, and on agreed static promotional signs at, sponsored sporting activities;(d) the Minister with responsibility for sport to be informed by the companies of their sponsorship plans and any changes in those plans;(e) the companies to consult with the Minister with responsibility for sport on any proposal to sponsor a sport not previously sponsored by the industry;(f) activities in which the majority of the participants are under 18 years of age not to be sponsored by the companies;(g) the companies to continue to sponsor non-televised, minor and amateur activities;(h) the companies to use their best endeavours to keep expenditure on media advertising and promotional activities within a reasonable proportion of total sports sponsorship expenditure.Some minor practical details have yet to be finalised and the full text of the new agreement will be published shortly.