Tobacco firms drop case against new laws

A SUDDEN decision yesterday by tobacco companies and others to abandon their lengthy legal action over new laws restricting the advertisement and promotion of cigarettes and other tobacco products has cleared the way for the introduction of the disputed legislation.

The companies also now face a substantial legal costs bill, estimated at several million euro, after Mr Justice Peter Kelly granted their application to discontinue their action. It had been due to open in the Commercial Court next Tuesday and to run for at least six weeks.

Lawyers for the Minister for Health and the State said they had learned of the proposal to discontinue just earlier yesterday.