Ireland says second major
tobacco firm threatens legal action
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[February 23, 2015]
CASTLEBAR, Ireland (Reuters) -
Ireland said a second major cigarette manufacturer, Imperial Tobacco
Group, has threatened legal action against the government over plans for
a law requiring them to sell cigarettes in plain packets.
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Ireland said in 2013 it wanted to become the first country in the
European Union to ban branding on cigarette packages and reiterated
its plans this week after the legislation prompted a threat of legal
action from Japan Tobacco International.
The minister who has designed the legislation, James Reilly, said
Japan Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco had written to his department and
that one of the firms demanded he tell them in writing by this week
that Dublin would not proceed with the law.
"This week I received letters from two of the largest tobacco
companies in the world threatening legal action against this state,"
Reilly said in a speech at his Fine Gael party's annual conference.
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"I want to be crystal clear. We will put the health of our children
ahead of the profits of Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco
International every time," Reilly said to applause from supporters.
No one at Imperial Tobacco, whose cigarette brands include Davidoff,
Gauloises and John Player in Ireland, was immediately available for
comment.
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In a response last year to Britain's health department over its
plans to introduce a similar law by May, Imperial Tobacco said plain
packaging would infringe international law, could threaten future
foreign direct investment into Britain and set a dangerous precedent
for other sectors.
Australia introduced a ban a few years ago as a way to reduce
smoking and is facing challenges at the World Trade Organization
over complaints the laws create illegal obstacles to commerce.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Louise Ireland)
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