CJEU Rulings on Tobacco Products Directive Bring Additional Confusion

Geneva, Switzerland (ots/PRNewswire) -

The Directive's Aim is to Harmonize Regulations - Not Disrupt the
Free Movement of Goods Across the EU

Just two weeks before the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD2) comes
into force in the 28 EU Member States, the Court of Justice of the
European Union (CJEU) has rejected tobacco manufacturers' claims
against TPD2.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130528/617491 )

"It is regrettable that the Court has decided to endorse the
proliferation of different regulations for the same product across
the European Union", said Vassilis Vovos, JTI's Western Europe
Regional President. "This ruling goes against a fundamental purpose
of the EU treaty which is to further improve the functioning of the
internal market by way of harmonized legislation. Instead, we are
left with an inexplicable decision which may lead Member States to
believe that they can infringe the principle of free movement of
goods within the EU."

"There are only 16 days left before TPD2 comes into force. Yet the
legislation is still not transposed in the majority of Member States.
This leaves the industry with little clarity from the Commission and
Member States on many issues. The CJEU rulings bring additional
confusion", concludes Mr. Vovos.

About JTI

JTI, a member of the Japan Tobacco Group of Companies, is a
leading international tobacco manufacturer. It markets world-renowned
brands such as Winston, Camel, Mevius and LD. Other global brands
include Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut, Sobranie and Glamour. With
headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and about 26,000 employees
worldwide, JTI has operations in more than 120 countries. Its core
revenue in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, was USD 10.3
billion. For more information, visit http://www.jti.com.

Note to editors:

- On July 18, 2014, JTI announced its formal participation in the
judicial review process launched by PMI in the UK's Administrative
Court against the EU Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU)
(TPD2). The claims asserted that the Directive did not meet the
required standard of improving the functioning of the internal
market.
- On November 3, 2014, The UK's Administrative Court agreed to
reference the claims filed by the four major tobacco manufacturers
to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
- On October 1, the CJEU heard the four major tobacco manufacturers
as part of the preliminary reference process against the EU Tobacco
Products Directive (2014/40/EU) (TPD2).
- On December 23, the Advocate General of the CJEU issued an opinion
related to the tobacco industry's claims against the EU Tobacco
Products Directive.

ots Originaltext: JTI (Japan Tobacco International)
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
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Tel: +41-22-703-0291
e-mail: pressoffice@jti.com