Three tobacco giants threaten legal action over plain packaging law

Three tobacco companies have now signalled their intention to take legal action against plain packaging, which Children's Minister James Reilly has strongly promoted

Children's Minister James Reilly says the government is ready to stand its ground in court if necessary

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Three tobacco companies have now written to the government, stating their intention to take legal action against the state over the new plain packaging legislation.

Newstalk reports Japan Tobacco International (JTI), Philip Morris, and Imperial Tobacco have all sent letters to the government through separate legal firms.

President Higgins signed the new legislation, The Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014, into law yesterday (10 March) at Áras an Úachtaráin, after the mandatory seven-day period.

The deadline for when it will be illegal to manufacture branded cigarettes has been set as May 2016. The following year, after May 2017, it will then be illegal to sell these cigarettes.

Children’s Minister James Reilly, who has played a major role in bringing the new laws into fruition, has said the government is prepared to stand its ground in court if necessary.

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