Public Prosecutor v. Philip Morris Singapore

Philip Morris Singapore was charged with violating the country’s tobacco advertising law when it placed a display case with Marlboro cigarettes at an outdoor tent near the site of an event for the 2009 Singapore Formula One Grand Prix. The court found that Philip Morris was not guilty of the offense. The court said that, although the display case constituted an “advertisement” under the law, Philip Morris believed that the property owner’s retail tobacco license extended to the parking lot where the tent was placed. The court found that Philip Morris made a good faith mistake in believing that the area was approved for the display and sale of tobacco products. 

Public Prosecutor v Phillip Morris Singapore Private Limited - [2011] SGDC 376 (9 November 2011).

  • Singapore
  • Nov 9, 2011
  • District Court of Singapore
Download Document

Parties

Plaintiff Public Prosecutor

Defendant Phillip Morris Singapore Private Limited

Legislation Cited

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

Type of Tobacco Product

None

"I had already found that PMS had proven, on a balance of probability, that it had exercise reasonable care when it placed the new CDU in the tent at the St. James Power Station’s outdoor car-park. Similarly, I was of the view that PMS had “exercised due care and attention” when it played the new CDU at the location. It was not disputed by the prosecution, that the mistake that SJ and PMS had made, in thinking that its existing Retail License (exhibit D2) covered or extended to the F1 Event, had been made in good faith by them."