Tobacco firms ally in court to stub out ban (fwd)

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

Tobacco firms ally in court to stub out ban
by Precision Marketing via NewsEdge
Source: NewsEdge, Monday, 8/23/99

Precision Marketing via NewsEdge Corporation : Government plans to bring
forward the proposed blanket ban on tobacco direct marketing could be
derailed by a legal challenge initiated by cigarette manufacturing giants.


Four UK manufacturers p Gallaher, Imperial Tobacco, Rothmans (UK) and
British American Tobacco p are to present their case at a court hearing in
October arguing that early implementation is unlawful because it
contradicts the timing of an EC ban coming into effect on July 2001.


They also argue that the ban should be stalled until a similar legal
challenge brought by four foreign tobacco manufacturers is settled by the
European Court of Justice. A decision on the case is not expected until
October 2000 at the earliest.


The Tobacco Manufacturers' Association chief executive, comments: "When
the Government fails to listen to reason and common sense, our only
recourse is to the law."


Under the draft Tobacco (Prohibitions of Advertising and Promotion)
Regulations 1999, all forms of direct and indirect advertising via
billboards, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, mailshots, sampling and
even branded merchandise will be outlawed by December 10 (PM, June 21).


But the Government appears increasingly confused about the remit of the
draft proposal.


Contradicting the Department of Health's official line, Leader of the
House of Commons, Margaret Beckett, told Parliament: "There is not
necessarily a prohibition on direct mail, but there is a strong attempt to
hinder tobacco companies using direct mail specifically to target
vulnerable young customers."


<<Precision Marketing -- 08-16-99>>