Feb.26 (GMM) The Bahrain government has refused to clarify whether an anti-tobacco advertising ban across the island country will affect the grand prix there.



It was reported on Monday that cigarette adverts relating to formula one will be outlawed in Bahrain by the government.



But public health official Dr Mariam Al Jalahma would not confirm that the ban will extend to the goings-on inside the Sakhir circuit, according to the local Gulf Daily News.



Sources, however, reportedly told the newspaper that the ban is intended to eventually include the confines of the Bahrain International Circuit, which until now has been viewed by the international press as a tobacco advertising 'haven' for F1 racing.



A couple of years ago, for instance, Bahrain prepared to implement the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, but circuit boss Martin Whitaker clarified that the laws would "not have an effect on the race itself".