The European Union has decided that a tobacco ad ban will come into play starting in 2006. First it was thought that such a ban would not come about due to the number of countries being against.

The Cigarette Company Rothmans said they were very disappointed and called it a bureaucratic decision not based on any fact. They claim the relationship between starting smoking and advertisement is not proven. They point to counties which already have an advertisement ban but still see an increase in young people who take up smoking.

The Tobacco industry bring in about 60 billion US dollars of Tax money in the EU.

The Williams Team, e.g. Jacques Villeneuve, is looking strong with their 1998 prototype. Villeneuve topped the prototype times two days in a row on the Barcelona track.

The Jordan-Mugen-Honda had his first few laps on the Silverstone circuit with Pedro de la Rosa at the wheel. (no time)