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First tobacco giant challenges plain package laws

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/first-tobacco-giant-challenges-plain-package-laws-31106383.html

Japan Tobacco International has launched a legal bid to halt the Government’s controversial plain packaging measures

ONE of the world’s largest tobacco firms has launched a legal bid to halt the Government’s controversial plain packaging measures, the Irish Independent can reveal.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) formally lodged papers in the High Court yesterday which names the State, the Attorney General and Health Minister Leo Varadkar as defendants.

While tobacco firms have previously threatened legal action over the plain packaging measures, JTI is understood to be the first firm to launch a legal bid.

The cigarette giant, which owns the Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut brands, is seeking to halt the plain packaging plans on the basis that the European Court of Justice is hearing a case that bears directly on the right of an EU member state to introduce such measures.

The company will argue Ireland is operating outside of the parameters of EU law.

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