The sponsor of Hong Kong's richest annual tennis tournament has pulled out.
But officials are optimistic they will find a replacement for Marlboro for the October event.
The cigarette company was believed to have paid close to US$3 million (HK$23.19 million) for last year's Marlboro Championships, including US$220,000 to champion Byron Black, of Zimbabwe.
Marlboro first sponsored the event in 1988 and has brought in stars such as Ivan Lendl, Michael Chang and Andre Agassi.
Haider Barma, president of the Hong Kong Tennis Patrons' Association, which organises the tournament, said Philip Morris, which makes Marlboro, had pulled out because of anti-tobacco legislation.
'As far as Philip Morris is concerned, there was no flexibility for them in advertising and promoting their products. They said it was difficult to justify further involvement,' he said.