Court ruling on tobacco health warnings strikes a blow for public health

12.00.00am GMT Tue 10th Dec 2002

“Today's ruling by the European Court of Justice that bigger health warnings on tobacco products are legal strikes a blow for public health”, according to West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne.

Welcoming this morning's positive ruling by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg on the legality of the Tobacco Products Directive, the Liberal Democrat MEP said:

“This landmark ruling shows that the Parliament was legally right to warn Europeans of the dangers of tobacco use. The industry took us to court as usual, but fortunately failed.”

The ruling leaves the Tobacco Product Directive intact. The Directive prescribes much bigger warnings on tobacco products, limits the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide content of cigarettes, and obliges manufacturers to reveal what is in their products.

Liz also welcomed the option for Member States to include graphic images, for example of damaged lungs, on cigarette packs:

“In Brazil and Canada this is already a great success. Smoking in Canada continues to decline. Studies show that 44% of Canadian smokers claimed that the stark illustrations had increased their motivation to stop smoking. Australia and Thailand among others are also considering it, as well as the World Health Organisation.”

Liz, however, is concerned that the UK government has yet to start implementing the directive, elements of which should have been started by the end of September.

“The UK government is fully signed up to this directive, having voted for it in the European Council. Combined with the new Tobacco Advertising and Marketing Act, this directive will make the UK a world leader in the fight against tobacco addiction – now is not a time when the government should be dragging its feet.”

Notes to editors: Liz has yet to receive a reply from Lord Rooker after writing to him enquiring why a photograph taken by him has appeared in a calendar sent to all UK MPs and MEPs sponsored by the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (for more details click here).