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  • Mar 08, 2026
  • By WTVAPGO
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162 Organizations Jointly Urge F1 to Update Its Ban: Include Nicotine Pouch Sponsorships Such as ZYN and VELO

A total of 162 public interest organizations from 57 countries have sent a letter to Formula 1 (F1), calling on it to expand its current cigarette sponsorship ban to cover nicotine pouches and other tobacco products, and to stop such sponsorships from reaching youth audiences. The letter states that Philip Morris International (PMI) promotes ZYN through Ferrari, while British American Tobacco (BAT) promotes VELO through McLaren, with the branding appearing on race cars, driver gear, and across social media.

Key Points

  • 162 organizations worldwide, including Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, wrote to F1 calling for nicotine pouches to be included in the tobacco sponsorship ban.
  • The letter says F1 ended cigarette sponsorship in 2006, but PMI and BAT are now promoting ZYN and VELO through team sponsorships.
  • The letter specifically names branding appearing on the cars and racewear associated with drivers such as Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
  • The organizations say these sponsorships are amplified to hundreds of millions of followers on social media, while F1 is also expanding its youth audience.
  • The groups also wrote to Disney, LEGO, and Mattel Hot Wheels, urging them to push F1 to fully prohibit tobacco sponsorship.

2Firsts, March 6, 2026

According to the official website of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, as the new Formula 1 (F1) season approaches, more than 162 public interest organizations worldwide, including Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, have sent a letter to F1 urging it to update the scope of its ban on tobacco-product sponsorships to include nicotine pouches and to stop helping the tobacco industry market addictive products to young audiences.

The letter states that although F1 ended cigarette sponsorship in 2006, Philip Morris International (PMI) and British American Tobacco (BAT) are currently promoting their nicotine pouch products through team sponsorships: PMI sponsors Ferrari to promote ZYN, while BAT sponsors McLaren under its VELO brand.

According to the letter, these brand logos are prominently displayed on race cars and drivers’ racing suits, and are spread to hundreds of millions of followers through social media. The drivers mentioned include 2025 F1 World Champion Lando Norris and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The letter also notes that while tobacco companies are carrying out these sponsorships, F1 is simultaneously expanding its global youth audience and has established partnerships with Disney, LEGO, and Mattel’s Hot Wheels. These collaborations include appearances by Mickey Mouse and friends at F1 events, as well as exclusive LEGO and Hot Wheels merchandise aimed at children.

The letter says that F1 has stated that more than 4 million children aged 8 to 12 in the EU and the United States actively follow the sport, while 54% of its TikTok followers and 40% of its Instagram followers are under the age of 25.

In the letter to F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, the organizations said that to protect the health of young fans, F1 needs to expand its existing cigarette sponsorship ban as soon as possible to include other tobacco products, including newer products such as nicotine pouches.

On the same day, the organizations also sent letters to Disney, LEGO, and Mattel, calling on these companies to join the effort to urge F1 to prohibit all tobacco sponsorships. Yolonda C. Richardson, President and CEO of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said that tobacco companies want their brands displayed on F1 race cars and star drivers because “they know kids will see them.”

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said in its letter that nicotine pouches are the only category of tobacco products in the United States that has seen rising youth use in recent years.

According to its official website, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is one of the world’s most influential public health and tobacco control nonprofit organizations. The group was initiated by the American Medical Association, and its largest funders include Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

On December 12, 2025, the organization’s President and CEO also criticized Philip Morris International’s announced partnership with Ferrari, saying the move ran counter to PMI’s commitment not to market to youth.

Image source: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids