PHM-Exch> Norway rules in favour of tobacco display ban

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: <ershaffer at gmail.com>


http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/14/norway-philipmorris-idUSL5E8KEDFP20120914
> ****
>
> ** **
> UPDATE 2-Norway rules in favour of tobacco display
> ban
> ****
>
> Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:40am EDT ****
>
> * Philip Morris says may appeal decision****
>
> * Case watched by other countries mulling tobacco crackdown****
>
> By Victoria Klesty and Vegard Botterli****
>
> OSLO, Sept 14 (Reuters) - A Norwegian court has upheld a ban on displaying
> tobacco products in stores, in a closely-watched ruling as governments
> across the world look to crack down on smoking to improve public health and
> cut medical costs.****
>
> The court on Friday rejected a complaint by Philip Morris , maker of
> Marlboro cigarettes, which argued the ban violates a free trade agreement
> linking non-EU member Norway to the European Union's market rules.****
>
> Philip Morris said it might appeal.****
>
> The court said the display ban did not constitute a barrier to trade, and
> could be justified for public health reasons.****
>
> "As the court sees it, the display ban is necessary and that there are no
> alternative, less intrusive measures that can have equivalent results," it
> said.****
>
> The ruling is being followed by countries including Britain, New Zealand,
> Canada and India, which are considering similar measures to help fight
> smoking.****
>
> Tord Dale, political advisor to the Norwegian Health Minister, said: "We
> are glad that the court has decided that looking after people's health is
> more important than the profits of the tobacco industry."****
>
> Since 2010, cigarette packets and other tobacco products have been covered
> up in Norwegian shops and are not visible to buyers, as part of a drive to
> discourage tobacco use.****
>
> In April, Britain implemented a similar ban for large vendors, while
> smaller vendors have until 2015 before having to conform to the legislation.
> ****
>
> The European Commission is due to propose a revision of EU rules on
> tobacco products by the end of this year, which is widely expected to
> include more prescriptive requirements for health warnings on packets.****
>
> A Commission spokesman said the proposals would include new rules on
> packaging, but declined to comment on media reports the plans will
> introduce a single pack size for all cigarettes and require warnings on the
> health effects of smoking to cover 75 percent of the pack.****
>
> Norway's decision to rebuff Philip Morris' complaint comes less than two
> months before the fifth round of negotiations on the World Health
> Organization's global tobacco treaty in Seoul, South Korea<http://www.reuters.com/places/south-korea>,
> in November.****
>
> "We are not happy with the ruling," said Philip Morris spokesman Nordan
> Helland. "We will now look carefully at the court's decision and assess if
> we are going to appeal."****
>
> Norway has said that if the ban was upheld it would follow Australia<http://www.reuters.com/places/australia>and require plain packaging of tobacco.
> ****
>
> "I know that this ruling will be read carefully in other European
> countries," said Knut-Inge Klepp, director at The Norwegian Health
> Directorate.****
>
> "Currently we are waiting for a new strategy from the government on
> tobacco legislation. We are in dialouge with other European countries on
> the issue," he added.****
>
> Australia's landmark decision means that from Dec. 1, cigarettes and
> tobacco products must be sold in plain olive green packets with graphic
> health warnings, such as pictures of mouth cancer and other smoking-related
> illnesses.****
>
> ** **
>
> **Forwarded from: **
>
> *Steven Knievel*
>
> Program Associate | Global Trade Watch****
>
> Public Citizen | Protecting Health, Safety and Democracy****
> *URL:* http://www.tradewatch.org
>
> Check out our blog at http://www.EyesOnTrade.org<http://www.eyesontrade.org/>
> ****
>
> Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChallengingCorporateGlobalization*
> ***
>
>
>
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