162 Global Organizations Urge F1 to Ban Nicotine Pouch Sponsorship
162 public interest organizations from 57 countries have sent a letter to Formula One (F1) demanding that the current ban on cigarette sponsorship be extended to tobacco products such as nicotine pouches, and that related sponsorships cease reaching a youth audience. The letter states that Philip Morris International (PMI) promotes ZYN through Scuderia Ferrari, and British American Tobacco (BAT) promotes VELO through McLaren F1 Team, with the logo appearing on race cars and driver equipment and spreading on social media.
Key Points at a Glance
- 162 global organizations, including the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, have sent a letter to F1 demanding that nicotine pouches be included in the tobacco sponsorship ban.
- The letter states that F1 ended cigarette sponsorship in 2006, but PMI and BAT promote ZYN and VELO through team sponsorships.
- The letter specifically names drivers such as Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton, whose brand logos appear on their equipment and race cars.
- The organizations claim that these sponsorships reach hundreds of millions of followers on social media, running parallel to F1’s efforts to expand its youth audience.
- The organizations have also sent letters to The Walt Disney Company, The LEGO Group, and Mattel Hot Wheels, urging them to push for a complete ban on tobacco sponsorship in F1.
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Leads Global Appeal
On March 6, 2026, according to the official website of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, with the Formula One (F1) season about to begin, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and over 162 other global public interest organizations sent a letter to F1, urging it to update the scope of its ban on tobacco product sponsorship, include nicotine pouches in the ban, and stop assisting the tobacco industry in promoting addictive products to young audiences.
Tobacco Companies Linked to Team Sponsorships
The letter stated that F1 ended its cigarette sponsorship in 2006, but Philip Morris International (PMI) and British American Tobacco (BAT) are currently promoting their nicotine pouch products through team sponsorships: PMI sponsors the Ferrari team to promote ZYN, and BAT sponsors the McLaren team under the VELO brand.
Brand Logos Appear on Cars, Driver Suits, and Social Media
The letter states that these brand logos are prominently displayed on race cars and driver suits, and disseminated to hundreds of millions of followers through social media. The drivers involved include 2025 F1 World Champion Lando Norris and seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
Youth Marketing Concerns Linked to F1 Partnerships
The letter also mentions that while tobacco companies are undertaking these sponsorships. F1 is expanding its global youth audience and has partnered with Disney, LEGO, and Mattel’s Hot Wheels. These partnerships include appearances of Mickey Mouse and his friends at F1 races, as well as exclusive LEGO and Hot Wheels merchandise for children.
Millions of Young Fans Follow Formula One
The letter states that F1 claims over 4 million children aged 8 to 12 actively follow the sport in the EU and the US alone, and that 54% of its TikTok followers and 40% of its Instagram followers are under 25.
Letter Sent to F1 CEO Calling for Immediate Policy Change
In a letter to Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. The organization stated that to protect the health of young fans, F1 needs to extend its existing ban on cigarette sponsorship to other tobacco products, including newer products like nicotine pouches, as soon as possible.
Disney, LEGO, and Mattel Also Urged to Support Ban
On the same day, the organization sent separate letters to Disney, LEGO, and Mattel, urging these companies to join the call for F1 to ban all tobacco sponsorship. Yolonda C. Richardson, president and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, stated that tobacco companies want their brands on F1 cars and star drivers because “they know kids will see it.”
Nicotine Pouch Use Rising Among U.S. Teenagers
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids stated in its letter that nicotine pouches are the only tobacco product category whose use among American teenagers has increased in recent years.
About the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
According to its website, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA. It is one of the world’s most influential public health and tobacco control non-profit organizations. The organization was founded by the American Medical Association, and its largest donors include Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
PMI–Ferrari Partnership Previously Criticized
On December 12, 2025, the organization’s president and CEO criticized Philip Morris International’s announcement of a partnership with the Ferrari team, saying it contradicted Philip Morris International’s commitment to “not market to teenagers.”
