PM warns Ireland over packaging plans

Philip Morris Ltd. has warned the Irish government that the introduction of standardized packaging for cigarettes could lead to “an extremely high price” in compensation being paid to multinational tobacco companies by the taxpayer, according to a story in The Irish Times.

PM Ltd., an arm of Philip Morris International, was said to have commissioned a legal opinion in response to proposals to introduce standardized packaging in Ireland.

It said such moves would not “withstand legal scrutiny” without providing compensation to the tobacco companies involved.

The opinion and accompanying letter, which have been seen by The Irish Times, were sent to the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and the Minister for Health James Reilly.