Cigarette-maker Philip Morris has broken its own policy in marketing its smoking alternative — the tobacco-heating IQOS — to people younger than 25, says Chris Kirkham

As a society, if there’s anything we can do to make this easier, shouldn’t we?

The vaping industry welcomed a report from the UK’s House of Commons Science and Technology Committee last week that vaping products should not be treated in the same way as conventional cigarettes, and that e-cigarettes are not a significant “gateway” for young non-smokers.

The EU and Canada secured clearance yesterday for their contentious free trade deal and the removal of import duties that supporters say will boost growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Philip Morris International, the world’s largest international tobacco company, has said it could eventually stub out cigarette sales as it launched an alternative product in the UK yesterday.

From iconic movie costumes to personal letters, the world is about to witness the biggest Marilyn Monroe auction ever. And it’s all on show in Ireland from today. Vickie Maye meets the man behind the auction.

Dutch brewer Heineken’s sponsorship deal with Formula One, announced last week, has led to renewed calls from European campaigners for a ban on alcohol sponsorship in the sport.

Opponents fear TTIP trade-offs with the US will lead to a race to the bottom on standards — particularly on food safety, climate, and workers’ rights. Sorcha Ní Coileáin reports.

Believe it or not, the tobacco industry is on a tear.

EU officials were guilty of maladministration because they failed to be “open” about meetings with tobacco company lobbyists, the European Ombudsman has found.

And now for something completely different, we take a look at some of the lighter stories from the happenings of the European Union.

Children’s Minister James Reilly addressed the World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Abu Dhabi on the battle for cigarette plain packaging legislation in Ireland and Europe

Marco Mattiacci has been axed as Ferrari team principal.

MEPs have approved sweeping new regulations governing the multibillion-euro tobacco market, including limits on electronic cigarettes, bigger warnings on cigarette packs and a ban on menthol and other flavourings in a bid to further curb smoking.

Unprecedented lobbying by the tobacco industry is threatening to derail new EU rules on cigarettes and e-cigarettes, Irish officials have warned.

Belfast-based Wellington IT Solutions has signed two contracts with a potential value of €1.6m over five years.

Australia’s government has revealed the world’s toughest anti-tobacco bill, preventing companies from displaying their distinctive colours, brand designs and logos on cigarette packs in a bid to make smoking less attractive to the young.

Tobacco giant Philip Morris has launched legal action against the Australian government over plans to replace company logos on cigarette packets with grisly images of cancerous mouths, sickly children and bulging, blinded eyes.

The maker of Marlboro cigarettes today mounted a legal challenge to overturn the country’s ban on advertising tobacco products in shops.

A US jury recommended that cigarette maker Philip Morris USA should pay $13.8m (€9.7m) in punitive damages to the daughter of a longtime smoker who died of lung cancer.

Tobacco giant Philip Morris was ordered by a Florida jury to pay US$8m (€6.3m) in damages to the widow of a smoker who died of lung cancer in a case that could set a precedent for around 8,000 other state lawsuits.

IRISH smokers contribute more per person to cigarette company profits than any other in the EU because of the Government’s minimum price policy.

Imperial Tobacco, the maker of Davidoff cigarettes, secured a major new market today after winning approval to introduce its European brands to the United States.

UK Embassy cigarette firm Imperial Tobacco today won the backing of its shareholders for a £11bn (€16bn) takeover of Gauloises firm Altadis.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s government says it is considering a decree to ban the production of cigarettes and tobacco.

Imperial Tobacco could be poised to make a third takeover approach to Gauloises cigarette maker Altadis, it was reported today.

THE US Supreme Court threw out a $79.5 million (€60.5m) punitive damages award to a smoker’s widow yesterday, a boom to businesses seeking stricter limits on big-dollar jury verdicts.

Tobacco shares were ignited today by speculation over a takeover battle for Gallaher, which owns the brands Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut.

Wall Street managed a tiny gain today, enough to give the Dow Jones industrial average another record close, after the Federal Reserve stoked some fears of inflation pressures but implied that it is not intent on raising interest rates.

Hanson shares jumped 6% today as investors bought into speculation that he building materials group had received and subsequently rejected a takeover approach.

Philip Morris USA, the United States’ largest cigarette company, today said it plans to test a smokeless, spitless tobacco product this summer in the Indianapolis market.

ANTI-SMOKING campaigners yesterday warned that plans by one of the world’s largest tobacco companies to launch so-called “safer” cigarettes in Britain could cost hundreds of thousands of lives.

Anti-smoking campaigners today said plans by one of the world’s largest tobacco companies to launch so-called “safer” cigarettes could cost hundreds of thousands of lives.

British American Tobacco vowed today to “vigorously defend itself” after Canada’s Supreme Court cleared the way for the company to be sued for costs of smoking-related illnesses.

More than five years after filing suit, US federal prosecutors are wrapping up their groundbreaking racketeering case against major cigarette makers, accused of conspiring for decades to mislead the public about the health risks of smoking.

A WOMAN with lung cancer is to be awarded the highest court-ordered payment yet to an ex-smoker after a last-ditch appeal was rejected.

A woman with lung cancer is to be awarded the highest court-ordered payment yet to an ex-smoker after a last-ditch appeal was rejected.

Philip Morris USA has challenged a $10bn (€7.8bn/£5.4bn) consumer fraud ruling, telling the Illinois Supreme Court that its ”light” cigarettes performed as advertised and that the company is not to blame if people ended up taking deeper puffs or smoking more cigarettes.

LAWYERS for the world’s leading cigarette makers have admitted that the companies sold dangerous and addictive products, but said they never conspired to hide those hazards.

Tobacco manufacturers are to take legal action against new rules that further restrict advertising of their products in the UK.

Alleged collusion with smugglers will end up costing Philip Morris International a billion dollars (€827m) if the company's payoff offer is accepted by the European Union.

The EU and the maker of Marlboro cigarettes were today close to a $1bn (€833m) deal to end years of legal wrangling by cracking down together on smuggling and fakes that are costing both sides enormous sums.

The European Commission (EC) has confirmed it is in talks with tobacco company Philip Morris International with the objective of securing a substantial payment to avoid lawsuits over allegations it colluded in the smuggling of cigarettes into the EU.

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin has been forced into an embarrassing climbdown in his attempts to stop investment of taxpayer’s money in cigarette companies.

Philip Morris USA, the largest US cigarette maker, is cutting prices of its four biggest brands, including Marlboro, to keep customers from switching to lower-price cigarettes sold by discount manufacturers.

Political Reporter

THE Government owns €17 million worth of shares in cigarette manufacturing companies.