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The UK government has conducted a consultation
with its Department of Health on potential legislation which
would force cigarette makers to sell their products in plain
packages with graphic health warnings and no branding.
The maker of Marlboro cigarettes "is prepared to protect its
rights in the courts and to seek fair compensation for the value
of its property," the company has told the UK government in
response to its consultation.
The UK government said in April it wanted to implement plain
packaging after a review found it could reduce the incidence of
children taking up smoking. It published draft regulations in
June, and launched a six-week consultation that ended last week.
Philip Morris submitted its response to the UK government after
the consultation.
"'Standardized packaging' is a euphemism for government-mandated
destruction of property," Philip Morris said in its submission,
seen by Reuters on Tuesday. "It is unlawful, disproportionate,
and at odds with the most basic requirements of the rule of
law."
If it goes ahead, Britain would be the second country after
Australia to ban cigarette branding.
Australia is already facing challenges at the World Trade
Organization over complaints the laws create illegal obstacles
to commerce.
(Reporting by Martinne Geller in London; editing by Shadia
Nasralla)
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