Ireland's premier snooker tournament is in jeopardy because of new government regulations on tobacco sponsorship.

The Benson and Hedges Masters is one of the biggest tournaments on world snooker's calendar attracting all the game's star players.

It is due to be staged from 27 March to 1 April at the Goffs complex in County Kildare with Scotsman John Higgins defending his title.

But the competition's sponsors, Ireland's Gallaher tobacco company withdrew their backing on Tuesday in response to regulations introduced by Dublin Health Minister Micheal Martin.

The ministerial move will effectively ban all tobacco advertising and sponsorship nearly three years ahead of a planned European Union directive on the same lines.

Mr Martin's proposals are expected to get cabinet approval in Dublin before the end of the year.

Unique opportunity

The tobacco firm's reaction means that the annual Masters Snooker is unlikely to go ahead unless new backers come forward.

The company insists the government's intervention forced them to withdraw from the event.

"The tournament was the only professional one held here on a regular basis," the tobacco firm's statement said.

"Devised by Gallaher (Dublin) Limited as an event designed to attract the world's leading snooker players to Ireland, it gave Irish snooker fans the unique opportunity to meet and see their heroes playing live in this country.

"As a result of the government's decision, the Irish public are now being denied access to a major sporting event at least three years in advance of their EU counterparts.

"The unilateral decision by the Irish government, taken outside the parameters agreed within the EU as a whole, means that unless an alternative sponsor can be found, this prestigious sporting event will be lost to Ireland."

The Benson and Hedges Irish Master is restricted to specially invited top ranking players and is regarded as one of the top four tournaments in world snooker.

The other three are all based in Great Britian and also have backing from tobacco companies - the Embassy World Championship, the Benson and Hedges Masters played at Wembley and the Regal Scottish Open.

Former champions of the Irish event include Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Alex Higgins and record eight-times winner Steve Davis. (Copy right BBC N.Ireland Tuesday, 26 September, 2000)