State Attorneys General Call on Formula 1 to End All Tobacco Sponsorships, Adding Momentum to Effort

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids welcomes yesterday’s letter from the attorneys general of 19 states and jurisdictions calling on Formula 1 and its governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, to prohibit sponsorships involving all tobacco and nicotine products, including nicotine pouches, and to terminate all current sponsorships involving these products.

State attorneys general have a long history of working to address tobacco industry marketing to kids. Today’s letter adds significant momentum to global efforts urging Formula 1 to end all tobacco sponsorships and stop helping tobacco companies peddle their harmful and highly addictive products to young people.

In March, 162 public interest organizations from 57 countries sent a letter urging F1 to end tobacco sponsorships, citing the sport’s push to expand its youth audience through partnerships with brands like Disney, Lego and Mattel’s Hot Wheels. In May, the World Health Organization issued a report warning governments that tobacco companies are aggressively marketing nicotine pouches to youth and young adults, including through F1 sponsorships.

Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco, two of the world’s largest tobacco companies, are currently sponsoring popular Formula 1 teams to promote their Zyn and Velo nicotine pouch brands. Product logos are prominently featured on the cars and race suits of these teams’ superstar drivers and promoted on social media to hundreds of millions of followers, including millions of young fans F1 has worked to attract.

We applaud the 19 attorneys general who signed this letter for their leadership in working to protect the health of young people.