EU Steps up Action Against Finland Over Oral Tobacco

Source from:  07.19.07, BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) 07/23/2007

The European Commission says it is stepping up action against Finland after Finnish authorities failed to comply with EU rules prohibiting oral tobacco from being placed on the market. The Commission is sending a reasoned opinion - the last stage of legal action before a court appearance - to Finland. In addition, the EU executive believes that new legislation adopted by Finland's Aland Islands also fails to implement the above-mentioned EU rules, as it only prohibits 'snus' from entering the market, rather than oral tobacco in general, as foreseen in EU legislation. Furthermore, the Aland Islands law limits the sale of oral tobacco on vessels to its sale on vessels operating within Finnish territorial waters. This would allow the sale of oral tobacco on vessels registered in the Aland Islands, once these vessels exit Finnish territorial waters. The Finnish authorities have two months to reply to the reasoned opinion. If they fail to take the appropriate measures to rectify the situation, the Commission can refer Finland to the Court of Justice. Enditem