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February 15th, 2017:

Slovenia adopts plain packaging

Feb 15th, 2017
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Congratulations to SFP Coalition Partners No excuse Slovenia and Slovenian Coalition for Public Health, Environment and Tobacco Control for their tireless advocacy to support this legislation in the last year.

http://www.smokefreepartnership.eu/partner-news/item/slovenia-adopts-plain-packaging

On 15 February the Slovenian Parliament adopted the draft law proposed by the government without a single vote against. Plain packaging is expected to enter into force in 2020.

Briefly, the new Slovenian Tobacco law includes:

– Plain packaging (65% coverage with health warnings and quitting information)
– Introduction of license for selling tobacco products,
– Total display and Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) ban
– Prohibition of selling tobacco products with aromas and other additives
– Prohibition of smoking in cars with a minor present
– Prohibition of smoking indoors including E-cigarettes
– Mystery shopping/test purchasing by underage,
– Measures of prevention of illicit trade

PM Thailand facing USD 2.8 billion in fines

Feb 15th, 2017
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Philip Morris Thailand was charged with underpaying import duty on cigarettes shipped from Indonesia, accusations that come one year after similar charges were filed over Philippine shipments, company documents show.

http://www.tobaccojournal.com/PM_Thailand_facing_USD_2.8_billion_in_fines.54073.0.html

Philip Morris International’s (PMI) Thai subsidiary faces fines totalling THB 100.6 billion (USD 2.85 billion) in the two cases, PMI said in its annual report filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The latest charges filed on 26 January in Bangkok Criminal Court concern cigarette imports from Indonesia between 2002 and 2003, the document shows. The Public Prosecutor is seeking fines of THB 19.8 billion. A procedural hearing is scheduled for April.

A year ago, PM Thailand was charged over cigarette shipments from the Philippines between 2003 and 2007. Fines in that case amount to THB 80.8 billion. Trials are scheduled to begin late this year, the PMI filing shows.

Plain packs coming in 2020

Feb 15th, 2017
by Editor.
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Parliament unanimously approved a law to ban advertising for tobacco products and require uniform packaging from 2020, Reuters reported.

http://www.tobaccojournal.com/Plain_packs_coming_in_2020.54074.0.html

Slovenia joins countries like Australia and the UK in requiring a standard colour and branding on tobacco packaging. Roughly one-in-four Slovenians aged 15 to 64 smoke. Health Minister Milojka Kolar Celarc reportedly said the country wants to reduce the smoking rate to below 5 per cent of the adult Population.