Key Points
- 19 jurisdictions joined the letter;
- Hawaii and Vermont co-lead effort;
- Zyn and Velo were cited;
- Coalition seeks end to F1 deals;
- Youth viewership raises concern.
2Firsts
June 9, 2026
According to Hawaii News Now and Maui Now, Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez announced that Hawaii is co-leading a coalition of attorneys general from 19 states and jurisdictions with Vermont, urging the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Formula 1 to end sponsorships involving tobacco and nicotine products.
The coalition sent a letter to FIA and Formula 1 leadership calling for a ban on tobacco and nicotine product sponsorships and the termination of all existing agreements involving such products.
The letter specifically cited nicotine pouch products, including brands such as Zyn and Velo.
“We cannot allow tobacco and nicotine companies to use the excitement and popularity of Formula 1 racing to market addictive products to young audiences,” Lopez said.
She said such sponsorships risk normalizing nicotine use for a new generation and run counter to decades of public health efforts aimed at reducing youth addiction.
The coalition said in its letter that after decades largely free from most tobacco advertising, young fans are again being exposed to prominent advertising for highly addictive nicotine pouches.
The letter also stated: “Just as marketing boosts youth use, data clearly shows that bans on tobacco advertising significantly reduces the risk of smoking initiation.”
The reports noted that the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement restricted tobacco advertising practices targeting minors, including sponsorship limitations tied to sporting events and auto racing.
However, as tobacco companies have begun selling oral nicotine pouches and other newer nicotine products, related advertising and sponsorships have reappeared in sports marketing.
The coalition argued that Formula 1’s audience among children and teenagers has increased significantly in recent years, making nicotine advertising in the sport a greater public health concern.
Maui Now reported that the coalition also highlighted Formula 1’s growth across streaming platforms and social media, as well as its expanding partnerships with youth-oriented entertainment and consumer brands, including toy manufacturers and media companies.
In March, 160 international public health organizations and advocates also called on Formula 1 to eliminate tobacco and nicotine sponsorships from the sport.
The effort is co-led by Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez and Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark.
They were joined by attorneys general from Arizona, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington.
Industry observers said the Formula 1 sponsorship dispute shows that modern oral nicotine products are increasingly facing sports-marketing scrutiny similar to traditional tobacco products. As nicotine pouch brands expand globally, regulatory debate over brand visibility, youth exposure and sponsorship boundaries is likely to continue.
（Cover Image：Maui Now）
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