XN000022-1997-04-11 — Page 6

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lower the maximum tar yield in cigarettes from 20 milligrams to 17 milligrams and prohibit brands containing more than 9 milligrams from claiming that they are low in tar.

"With regard to tobacco sponsorship, the Bill does not seek to change the status quo", the spokesman said. "In other words, tobacco companies will continue to be allowed to sponsor events in their corporate name and to advertise such sponsorships."

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Post Office announces new arrangements for stamp sales

In response to unprecedented demand for special stamps, the Post office announced new arrangements for special stamp sales today (Friday).

Speaking at a press briefing, Mr Robert Footman, the Postmaster General, said "We are determined to do all we can to ensure we have enough stamps to meet demand, and to sell our stamps with maximum convenience to customers."

To do so, the Post Office has developed the following new arrangements to apply from the issue of Migratory Birds on April 27. First, the Post Office will sell new stamps on Sundays, with the opening of some 480 counter positions for special stamps compared to some 270 for this purpose on weekdays.

Second, the Post Office will set quota for each transaction at higher levels, because it has increased the printing quantity by some 7 times over levels a year ago. For the Migratory Birds this means the quota for each transaction at the counter will be 250 sets of stamps, or 5 sheets of each stamp, compared to 100 sets normally. The increased supply in 1997 has in fact worked well already Year of the Ox stamps could still be purchased at our post offices up to one month after issue.

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"These two actions will ensure a free flow of customers, and will also ensure that normal business on weekdays is unaffected," said Mr Footman.

Third, the Post Office will extend its local advance order to include mint stamps, in addition to first day covers. Orders can be placed for Migratory Birds stamps at any post office from April 14-19. There will be no upper limit on such advance orders. Under this arrangement, customers can now satisfy their needs by May 20 without having to queue.