UK opposition was based on a desire to see the ban go further while Germany wanted fewer restrictions on press advertising. The tobacco industry had lobbied heavily against the new rules, arguing that their marketing targeted existing smokers and was not designed to win new smokers.
EU officials rejected proposals that would have watered down the legislation and have said that the new regulations will stand up against any further court challenges.
The law was drafted by the EU's executive commission and amended by the European Parliament. It was backed by 13 of the 15 EU members. It extends the current ban on the activities of tobacco firms, which are now barred from advertising and sponsoring programmes on television in the EU.
It also bars tobacco firms from using sales promotion techniques where free cigarettes and lighters are given away in city centre bars.
The ban is due to come into effect next year and gives members until July 2005 at the latest to enact it. However, the ban on cross-border events like Formula 1 motor racing comes into effect in 2004.
After the ban, tobacco companies will still be allowed to advertise in cinemas, on posters and via indirect methods such as brand extensions like clothes and other products.
Prior to the new legislation, there were varying levels of bans on advertising tobacco in different countries of the EU.
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