4th May 2016 10:01
LONDON (Alliance News) - New EU rules on tobacco products have been judged to be valid following three separate challenges, paving the way for countries to proceed with standardised packaging.
In a ruling released today, the European Court of Justice said extensive standardisation of packaging, the future EU-wide prohibition on menthol cigarettes and the special rules for electronic cigarettes are lawful.
The ruling follows challenges to the EU Tobacco Products Directive, which was adopted in 2014 but has been held up by a series of court cases.
The court rejected a legal challenge brought by Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco PLC, with Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Brands PLC acting as interested parties.
The court said: "The court finds that, in providing that each unit packet and the outside packaging must carry health warnings... the EU legislature did not go beyond the limits of what is appropriate and necessary."
The court also upheld a prohibition on menthol cigarettes, following a challenge by Poland, and tighter regulation of electronic cigarettes.
The legal challenge can now be taken no further and the directive will take effect on May 20, although there is a one-year sell-through period to allow wholesalers and retailers to sell existing stocks.
By Josie Clarke, Press Association Consumer Affairs Correspondent
Source: Press Association
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