Brussels, 04/04/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 4 April, the European Commission sent letters of formal notice to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and Spain for non-compliance with the 2003 directive on tobacco advertising. Infringements mainly concern exceptions to the sponsorship ban which became part of Member States' national legislation with the transposition of the directive. In Spain, there is a provision allowing sponsorship in motor racing events for a period of three years after the law came into force. Italy does not apply the sponsorship ban to events that take place exclusively on its soil, although some of these events are transmitted to other Member States by television or the Internet. Hungary allows an exemption for events which are economically important to the country. The Czech Republic grants a three-year derogation for contracts signed before the legislation came into effect. The Member States involved have two months to respond to the Commission and bring their legislation into line with the directive. If they fail to do so, the Commission will send them a “reasoned opinion” and if the non-compliance continues, it can refer them to the European Court of Justice.