Tobacco giants fight back as EU court ruling over plain packaging will be later this month

A landmark EU court ruling later this month will decide whether Ireland can drive ahead with plans to outlaw tobacco branding, in a bid to make the country smoke-free in the next decade.

Tobacco giants Philip Morris and British American Tobacco (BAT) have brought proceedings in the European Court of Justice over an EU directive which will make health warnings cover 65% of cigarette packets.

Ireland plans to go further and bring in plain packaging on tobacco products, a plan driven by Minister for Children James Reilly.