F1 does U-turn on tobacco ad ban

Formula One's world governing body, the International Automobile Federation (FIA), has decided to scrap plans for a ban on tobacco advertising in 2006. Three of the top four Formula One teams, Ferrari, McLaren and Renault, have tobacco sponsors that pay a significant share of their budgets. The FIA's decision is expected to heighten tensions between them and the European Union, which is introducing a tobacco advertising ban in 2005.