Skip to main content

Tobacco firms threaten to legal action after parliament votes to ban cigarette branding - UK

| Supplier news

Leading firms in the tobacco industry have threated legal action after Parliament yesterday approved legislation to ban branding on cigarette packs.

After years of political debate, private lobbying and public consultation, the legislation was passed by a margin of 367 votes to 113. If the House of Lords also approves the move, every packet cigarette packet from May 2016 will look the same except for the make and brand name, with graphic photos accompanying health warnings.

The new rules would initially take effect in England, although though the Welsh government has said it will follow suit and Northern Ireland and Scotland are considering a similar move. The Irish Republic passed a similar law earlier this month and Australia has had plain packaging since 2012.

Health campaigners applauded move, whilst Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said: "We want all children in our country to grow up free from the burden of disease that tobacco brings."

But the Tobacco Manufacturer's Association has argued there is a "complete lack of evidence that the policy will work". Simon Clark, of the smokers lobby group Forest, said: "Consumers are fed up being patronised by politicians of all parties. Smokers know there are health risks associated with tobacco. Plain packaging won't make any difference.

"What next? Standardised packaging for alcohol and sugary drinks?"

Tobacco companies argue that standardised packs will lead to an increase in counterfeiting and infringe their intellectual property rights with the major manufacturers saying they are likely to challenge the legislation in court.

Speaking to Reuters, British American Tobacco (BAT) said that it anticipated launching a legal challenge within 30 days of the legislation's final approval. Meanwhile, Imperial Tobacco said that if the measure became law the firm would be "left with no choice but to defend our legal rights in court". JTI said it expected to challenge the legislation and Philip Morris International said it was prepared to seek compensation.


Related Articles

Liberty Accelerates Unclaimed Benefits Pay Outs 

As part of its ongoing Unclaimed Benefits Funds tracing efforts, this year, Liberty has identified in excess of 13 000 people and paid over R105 million to members and beneficiaries who had a legitimate claim.

Shoprite and Checkers support small suppliers t...

Shoprite and Checkers are helping small suppliers grow their volumes this Black Friday as customers flock to its stores looking for value on everyday essentials and groceries between Thursday, 23 November and Sunday, 26 November 2023. 

Supermarket chain set to appeal judgment in ‘si...

By: Chevon Booysen - IOL Retail giant Pick n Pay has indicated its intention to appeal a Western Cape High Court judgment to damage all print works, all printed materials, product packaging, and the like bearing the infringing get-ups similar to ...

Woolies pulls Israeli couscous after 'credible'...

By: Ahmed Areff – Fin24 Woolworths has pulled Israeli-imported pearl couscous from its shelves, but has emphasised that the move was preemptive due to threats it received and not because it supported a boycott of the country’s products or was pro...

Shoprite’s distribution centres gearing up for ...

By: Edward West - IOL With Black Friday and the festive season just around the corner, large warehouses such as Shoprite’s Basson Distribution Centre (DC) in Brackenfell, Cape Town are gearing up already so that the shelves will be stocked.