Bigger health warnings on cigarette packets not wanted

The Public Health Ministry are due to lodge an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court against a Central Administrative Court injunction against the enforcement of larger heath warning labels on packets of cigarettes according to Public Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong who says that the appeal will focus on two main issues. Asking the court to allow ten different warning graphics and allowing the enforcement of mandatory health warnings that will take up eighty five percent of the pack.

Nine tobacco companies are adapting their companies to comply with the regulations, two of which have already shipped the new-look packets. Dr. Pradit said that the injunction would damage those nine companies who have already complied with the regulation. On June 26 giant Philip Morris filed a lawsuit against the ministry’s regulation, claiming it was unfair and asking for the Administrative court to overrule it. The court issued an injunction on Aug 23, freezing the implementation of the regulation, while is considers the case.

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