Vekony v. Hungary

A tobacco retailer was forced to apply for a new license after a national law created a state monopoly on tobacco sales. The retailer’s application for a tobacco license was denied and, as a result of the lost sales, his shop was forced to close. The retailer claimed that the loss of his tobacco license unjustly deprived him of his property. The court found that the government’s decision not to grant the tobacco license interfered with the “peaceful enjoyment of possessions” guaranteed in the European Human Rights Convention. The court also found that the retailer had to suffer an excessive burden and awarded him 15,000 Euros to compensate for the lost business, plus 6,000 Euros for attorney costs. 

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  • Hungary
  • Jan 13, 2015
  • The European Court of Human Rights

Parties

Plaintiff Laszlo Vekony

Defendant Hungary

Legislation Cited

Act CXXXIV of 2012 on Reducing Smoking Prevalence Among Young People and on the Retail of Tobacco Products (as amended)

European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

International/Regional Instruments Cited

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

Type of Tobacco Product

None