Tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris International is planning to contest new rules on tobacco sales at the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The measures, introduced in April, relate to labels, ingredients, tracking and tracing, e-cigarettes, cross-border sales and herbal-related products.
The Swiss-based firm said it had filed suit in Britain because the country's courts have proven to be a “fast and efficient forum for private litigants to obtain references to the CJEU on issues involving EU law”.
Cases must be referred to the court by national jurisdictions.
The company said there were several holes and discrepancies in the new regulations.
In a statement, it said, “The directive bans menthol cigarettes - a product that is currently legal in all 28 (EU) member states.”
By making it illegal for adult smokers in the EU to purchase the product they prefer, “the directive disrupts the internal market” and creates incentives for illicit trade.
Marc Firestone, senior vice president at Philip Morris, said, “The directive claims to improve the internal market in tobacco products, but its provisions go in the opposite direction.”
"The directive includes a mix of product bans, mandates, and delegations of authority that raise serious questions under the EU Treaties about consumer choice, the free movement of goods, and competition.”
The company said the review would take up to three years.
© 2014 - European Supermarket Magazine
