JT group goes to court over Ireland’s plain packs law

The Japan Tobacco group has initiated a High Court action against the Irish government aimed at blocking the requirement that cigarettes should be sold in standardized packs, according to a story in The Irish Times.

Last month, Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins signed into law legislation under which cigarette manufacturers will be required, from May 2016, to produce cigarettes for the Irish market in standardized packaging. From May 2017 only cigarettes in standardized packaging will be allowed to be sold on the Irish market.

Ireland is the second country after Australia to bring in such legislation. In Australia, standardized packaging has been a requirement since December 2012.

The Irish arm of Japan Tobacco, JTI Ireland, is reportedly challenging the legislation on grounds of competence. The group is expected to argue that the state had no right to enact the legislation because it went further than the provisions of a European Union directive.

The Minister for Children Dr. James Reilly, who championed the legislation, indicated previously that the government was preparing for a legal challenge.

Asked about the action, Reilly said the government would defend it robustly in the firm belief that the law was in the best interests of the health and welfare of the public, especially children.