Tobacco industry legal bid is cynical rearguard action

26 April 2010

In response to Imperial Tobacco announcing that it is seeking a judicial review of legislation banning display of tobacco products at the point of sale in shops in England, Betty McBride, Policy & Communications Director at the British Heart Foundation, said:

“This is a cynical rearguard action. This issue has been decided by MPs who put the health of the nation before profit.”

“Tobacco companies have one aim, making money from a product that has been proven to damage the health and shorten the life of its customers.”

“Removing cigarettes from display behind shop counters and scrapping vending machines are a vital part of protecting the heart health of the country.”

Notes:

Issued in response to the Imperial Tobacco press release ‘Imperial Tobacco Group PLC seeks judicial review of tobacco product display ban’ 26 April 2010. http://www.imperial-tobacco.com/index.asp?page=78&newsid=1173