Warnings on hold pending legal ruling

Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) has said that it will continue to produce and supply its cigarettes in their current packs despite parliamentary approval last week of the Ministry of Health’s Tobacco Products (Labeling and Packaging) Regulations, according to a story in The Island.

Sri Lanka’s parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved the imposition of graphic health-warnings covering the top 80 per cent of the front and back of cigarette packs, cartons and other packaging.

CTC said that it had challenged these regulations in the Court of Appeal, which had reserved its judgment until May 12.

Implementation of the regulations had been stayed in line with an interim order issued by the Supreme Court on September 20.