Socieded Uruguaya de Tabacologia (SUT) v. Executive Branch

The Sociedad Uruguaya de Tabacologia (SUT) filed a lawsuit to nullify Executive Resolution No. 87/2021. 

Executive Resolution No. 87/2021 removed heated tobacco products from the electronic smoking commercialization ban. This meant heated tobacco products were subject to the same rules as traditional tobacco products. 

The plaintiff argued that the nullification of the resolution represented a setback in tobacco control policy, which violated the non-regression principle in the ICESCR as well as the right to health protected under Uruguay's Constitution. 

The Ministry defended the nullification noting that it did not weaken Uruguay's tobacco control policy, but instead applied the existing tobacco control policies for cigarettes to heated tobacco products. The Ministry also challenged plaintiff's standing to bring the claim. 

The Court did not address the merits of the claim, but instead dismissed the claim on the basis the plaintiff lacked standing as it did not have a direct, personal, and legitimate interest. 

Sociedad Uruguaya de Tabacología v. Executive Branch of the Uruguayan State, File No. 496/2021, Court for Administrative Litigation (2023).

  • Uruguay
  • Sep 26, 2023
  • Court for Administrative Litigation

Parties

Plaintiff / Petitioner / Applicant / Appellant

  • Sociedad Uruguaya de Tabacología

Defendant / Respondent / Appellee

  • Ministry of Public Health

Legislation Cited

Decree No. 299/2017

Decree No. 284/008 on Regulations under Law No. 18.256

Law No. 18.256 on Smoking Control Regulations

Decree No. 534/009 Banning E-Cigarettes

Constitution of the Republic of Uruguay

Law No. 15.869 Organic Law of the Procedure in the Court for Administrative Litigation

Law No. 9.202 Organic Law of Public Health, establishing the powers of the Executive Branch in health matters

International/Regional Instruments Cited

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

None

Tobacco Control Topics

None

Substantive Issues

None

Type of Tobacco Product

None