TOBACCO COMPANIES TO BATTLE TOBACCO LAW
By Adnews Staff
United Kingdom tobacco companies are challenging a European Union ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship which was passed into law on July 30. The companies have appealed to the U.K High Court to send a directive back to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. They argue that the ban is illegal and violates several principles of European Community Treaty law. They will argue against the validity of the ban on the basis that it is a public health measure, not an internal market issue, and therefore does not come under EU law, that it adversely affects freedom of expression and that its severity is disproportionate to its objectives. The tobacco companies involved are: British American Tobacco Investments, Gallaher, Imperial and Rothmans (UK). They are being represented by the Tobacco Manufacturers Association.