Philip Morris Pakistan placed several full-page color ads in major magazines around Pakistan, which violated a ban on advertising in the press. A Civil Magistrate found the Head of Marketing for Philip Morris Pakistan guilty of violating the law. The Philip Morris executive claimed that the violation was in good faith because he did not believe the prohibition on advertising in the "press" included magazines. The Magistrate rejected this argument, stating that the executive's position was "not tenable." The executive received a small fine, but risks up to three months in jail if he commits a second offense.
Government, through its agencies and officials including prosecutors, may seek to enforce its health laws. For example, the government may revoke the license of a retailer that sells tobacco products to minors. These cases may also directly involve the tobacco industry, for example, a government might impound and destroy improperly labeled cigarette packs.
Philip Morris Pakistan placed several full-page color ads in major magazines around Pakistan, which violated a ban on advertising in the press. A Civil Magistrate found the Head of Marketing for Philip Morris Pakistan guilty of violating the law. The Philip Morris executive claimed that the violation was in good faith because he did not believe the prohibition on advertising in the "press" included magazines. The Magistrate rejected this argument, stating that the executive's position was "not tenable." The executive received a small fine, but risks up to three months in jail if he commits a second offense.