Imperial Tobacco Ltd. v. The Lord Advocate (Scotland)

Imperial Tobacco lost this final stage in its legal challenge of Scotland’s legislation to prohibit the display of tobacco products at the point of sale and to ban the sale of tobacco products from vending machines (originally passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2010). Imperial claimed the legislation exceeds Scotland’s powers granted during devolution, such that the legislation was beyond the competency of the Scottish Parliament to pass. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, agreeing with both of the lower courts’ decisions, found all of Imperial’s challenges unfounded and dismissed the appeal.  The Supreme Court found that the law was designed to protect public health by reducing the attractiveness and availability of tobacco products, not prohibit their sale.

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT

Imperial Tobacco Limited v. The Lord Advocate (Scotland) [2012] UKSC 61.

  • United Kingdom
  • Dec 12, 2012
  • Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

Parties

Plaintiff Imperial Tobacco Limited

Defendant The Lord Advocate (Scotland)

Legislation Cited

Tobacco and Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010, Sections 1 and 9

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

Type of Tobacco Product

None