A legal notice published in yesterday's edition of the Government Gazette has made printed adverts promotingn tobacco illegal.

Described as "a breakthrough law" by Health Promotion Department head Mario Spiteri, legal notice 406 of 2005 states that no person can advertise cigarettes, cigars, tobacco or tobacco products on billboards, shop canopies, sunshades, umbrellas and any other medium intended for communication.

It also states that nobody can make use of lotteries and other gift schemes intended for the promotion and advertising of these products.

Dr Spiteri said that although the law came into force yesterday, companies will be given some time to pull down billboards advertising tobacco products.

The amount of time being allowed is at the discretion of the health authorities, he said, adding that most advertisers were aware that such a law would eventually be introduced. He emphasised that no new adverts will be able to be put up.

He pointed out that adverts on cars also had to be removed.

Dr Spiteri said Malta was among the first countries to have a comprehensive law banning tobacco advertising.