Litigation

Uruguay wins in court against Philip Morris

The extremely strict Smoking laws well-known South American state of Uruguay, has won a six-year lawsuit against the American tobacco company. The company accepted the judgment.

The international court of arbitration of the ICSID in Washington have rejected the action points of the group’s complete, said state President Tabaré Vázquez. In Uruguay, Smoking is banned in Restaurants and many other buildings, there is also a ban on advertising, the packs are designed with large, dramatic health warnings, and cigarettes may not be sold as “Lights”. In addition, again and again, the tobacco were increased taxes.

Strict Rules

The company Philip Morris did not want to accept the measures, and a high damage rate. Vázquez emphasized that the health and lives of the people are above the interests of a Tobacco company. He called on the international community to follow the example and in the fight against the damage caused by the Smoking of groups to be intimidated.

Defeat in the legal dispute: The tobacco company Philip Morris is subject to the state of Uruguay

Uruguay was the first country in Latin America and the fifth state in the world, the ban on Smoking in public places. Vázquez who had been suffering prior to his time as President as a specialist for cancer, was returned in 2014 after a first term from 2005 to 2010. He is considered as a vehement advocate of protection for Non-smokers.

A case of international interest

The case is also with a view to the debates about the planned free trade agreement between the EU and Canada (CETA) and EU-USA (TTIP) is interesting, since the role of private arbitration courts is a major dispute point. Critics fear the precedents, if companies could override this way undesirable laws – what has failed in the case of Uruguay, however. Philip Morris announced to accept the decision of the arbitration court. The cost of the procedure, the tobacco group.

cgn/gri (afpe, ape,dpa, rtr)