The Verdict of Sri Lanka Government vs. Ceylon Tobacco to be Delivered On May 12

Source from:  ColomboPage News Desk 05/12/2014

The leading manufacturer of tobacco products in Sri Lanka, Ceylon Tobacco Company has sought legal redress against Sri Lankan government over the pictorial warnings on cigarette packs and the Court of Appeal will give its decision regarding the matter tomorrow, May 12th.

The government issued a special gazette on August 08, 2012 making it compulsory to display eight graphic warnings on cigarette packets. The graphic warning on cancer must cover 80 percent of the surface of the cigarette pack.

The parliament passed three regulations under the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act on February 19 this year to discourage the smoking. However, the implementation of the legislation was delayed due to lawsuit.

Implementation of the Regulations has been stayed pursuant to an interim order issued by the Supreme Court on 20 September 2013, the CTC said.

Ceylon Tobacco Company, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco, filed a petition against Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena and National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol over the new regulation.

Health sources say that 60 to 65 people die daily due to illnesses related to smoking. Enditem