ND1221115

Title: Philip Morris Files High Court Challenge to Australia Tobacco Law

Description: The tobacco company joins British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco in fighting Australia?s plain packaging laws in court.

Page Content:

MELBOURNE, Australia ? Philip Morris has officially launched its legal challenge to Australia?s plain packaging laws, Reuters reports. The firm had indicated last month that it would seek arbitration from its Hong Kong office, but had now decided to file suit in Australia?s highest court. British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco have both filed separate claims in High Court against the new packaging law, due to go into effect December 2012.

?We believe plain packaging violates the Australian Constitution because the Government is seeking to acquire our property without paying compensation,? said Chris Argent, Philip Morris spokesman. The tobacco firm wants the justices to rule that the Australian government has no jurisdiction over whether Philip Morris puts its brand on cigarette packs.

?Big tobacco just can't give up their addiction to legal action,? said Attorney General Nicola Roxon, former minister of health. Earlier this month, Roxon indicated the government would not back down in the face of these legal challenges.

Governments in Canada, Europe and New Zealand are closely watching the outcome of these cases as they consider their own plain packaging laws. The U.K. government was considering its own version of plain packaging, but has now put those plans on hold until after Australia?s court rules on these cases.

�

Content Subject: International

Formatted Article Date: December 21, 2011

hippo articlez