Irish health minister Michael Martin, architect of the smoking ban in the Republic’s pubs, is now taking on the cigarette companies with similar curbs on instore tobacco promotion.
The minister is promising “a robust defence” of the measures, which are to be challenged in the Irish High Court by three of the industry’s leading companies - John Player & Sons, PJ Carroll and Gallaher (Dublin). They claim the proposals damage their ability to conduct their business and also deny information to the consumer.
As well as outlawing instore tobacco advertising, the legislation stipulates that retailers must store tobacco products out of sight of the public, rather than on-shelf. In a preliminary statement, the companies describe this restriction as “extraordinary”, claiming it would deny customers the right to know what is available.
They also argue that “these restrictions would limit our ability to compete, acquire market share, or introduce new products into the Irish marketplace”. Their statement adds: “Adults who choose to smoke, and who are fully aware of the risks, should have the right to basic consumer information about the tobacco products available.”
The minister is promising “a robust defence” of the measures, which are to be challenged in the Irish High Court by three of the industry’s leading companies - John Player & Sons, PJ Carroll and Gallaher (Dublin). They claim the proposals damage their ability to conduct their business and also deny information to the consumer.
As well as outlawing instore tobacco advertising, the legislation stipulates that retailers must store tobacco products out of sight of the public, rather than on-shelf. In a preliminary statement, the companies describe this restriction as “extraordinary”, claiming it would deny customers the right to know what is available.
They also argue that “these restrictions would limit our ability to compete, acquire market share, or introduce new products into the Irish marketplace”. Their statement adds: “Adults who choose to smoke, and who are fully aware of the risks, should have the right to basic consumer information about the tobacco products available.”
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