U.K. Cigarette Companies Win Right to Appeal EU Advertising Ban (fwd)

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

U.K. Cigarette Companies Win Right to Appeal EU Advertising Ban

by 
Bloomberg News (1574) 
EUROPE;
Date: Wednesday, 12/16/98
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U.K. tobacco companies won
the right to appeal against a European Commission ban on tobacco
advertising and sponsorship, a spokesman for British American
Tobacco Plc, the world's No. 2 cigarette company said.

A High Court judge in London today gave the companies the
go-ahead to take their appeal to the European Court of Justice.
               ===================
London, Dec. 16 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. tobacco companies won
the right to appeal against a European Commission ban on tobacco
advertising and sponsorship, a spokesman for British American
Tobacco Plc, the world's No. 2 cigarette company said.

A High Court judge in London today gave the companies the
go-ahead to take their appeal to the European Court of Justice.
The companies include BATS, Gallaher Group Plc, Imperial Tobacco
Group Plc and Rothmans (UK) Ltd. The BAT spokesman said the
company hasn't yet decided the form or timing of its appeal.

The companies argue that cigarette advertising is a health-
related issue that should be determined by individual states
rather than the European Commission, the executive
body of the 15-nation European Union. The ban was supported by
eleven of the EU's 15 members last December.

Today's ruling comes after U.K. Health Secretary Frank
Dobson last week pledged to ban tobacco advertising in print
media and on billboards within a year as part of a package of
measures to reduce smoking.

It also coincides with the preliminary hearing for the
U.K.'s first group action against Gallaher and Imperial Tobacco.
About 52 plaintiffs are suing the companies for negligence in
failing to reduce the tar content of cigarettes when they
allegedly knew about the health risks.

In the preliminary hearing, which began last week, they are
seeking a waiver on the three-year time limit for product
liability.		
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9:30 AM on 12/16/98