Tobacco branding wars are escalating as Thailand seeks to enlarge health warnings on cigarette packs from 50 to 85 % of
both sides of each pack.
See here for previous reports. Now Japan
Tobacco is bringing a legal action against the Thai government over the
issue. Philip Morris apparently threatened similar action. The rule takes effect
later in the year but JT says this has a "disproportionate impact on
legitimate competition, intellectual property rights and freedom of
expression". JT apparently filed a
lawsuit on 19th June, presumably in the Intellectual Property and International
Trade Court. The thrust of their cases is that the warnings are not "effective
or proportionate". Retailers have
apparently also complained. The Thai government objected and indicated that it
was entirely within its powers to increase health warnings.
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