Tobacco giants lose EU label fight

LEGAL moves by the tobacco industry to block tougher health warnings on cigarettes were rejected by European Court judges yesterday.

British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco had claimed the EU exceeded its authority by demanding bigger written health warnings on cigarette packs, and graphic pictures of rotting teeth and diseased lungs to discourage smoking.

The EU also advocated new ceilings on the tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide content of all tobacco sold in the EU and exported.