Tobacco row drags on

London - The British government last night was under fresh pressure to scrap plans to exempt Formula One motor racing from a proposed tobacco sponsorship ban, with a double attack from two cross-party Commons committees. Their reports urged ministers to reach a compromise next week on the EU directive banning all tobacco advertising across Europe, except where it is sold. Meanwhile, a MORI poll published in the Times yesterday showed Labour support at 56 per cent with the Conservatives far behind on 24 per cent and the Liberal Democrats on 16 per cent.