{"id":497,"date":"2009-10-13T07:38:25","date_gmt":"2009-10-13T12:38:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.commerciallawinternational.com\/?p=497"},"modified":"2009-10-13T07:38:25","modified_gmt":"2009-10-13T12:38:25","slug":"philip-morris-sues-irish-government","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commerciallawinternational.com\/?p=497","title":{"rendered":"Philip Morris Sues Irish Government"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Ainsley Brown<\/em><\/p>\n

Philip Morris <\/a>– yes that Philip Morris – the tobacco giant is set to sue the Irish government. And, why?<\/p>\n

The substance of Philip Morris\u2019 claim is that the new Irish law that came into force on July 1 banning the display of cigarettes in stores is anti-competitive. As a public health measure the new law was intended to curb smoker numbers, especially amongst teenagers.<\/p>\n

\"In
In Ireland no more<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The ban, as the company claims, is anti-competitive because it favors established cigarette makers and brands that already have a large market share. Smokers would then stick with the bands they already know rather than shift to a different one. The company is being advised by well known Irish law firm Matheson Ormsby Prentice.<\/p>\n

A similar policy has been perused in Canada and one is being contemplated by in the UK. It will be interesting to see if Philip Morris does in fact succeed.<\/p>\n

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