Working for a tobacco-free Scotland
24 June 2010
Commenting on the move by Imperial Tobacco to seek a judicial review of sections of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act on grounds of the legislative competence of the Holyrood parliament, ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said:
"I am completely unsurprised at this attack on democracy by a major multinational tobacco company. The legislation was fully scrutinised and debated with input from all sides. It won a huge majority in the Scottish Parliament and has since received Royal Assent. The purpose of the Act is to prevent young people from taking up smoking; no wonder Imperial Tobacco is worried.
"This looks like a delaying tactic from a multinational that puts profit ahead of lives. Imperial Tobacco is acting in its usual way to protect the profit of its shareholders at the expense of people's health. Tobacco companies have been shown to act time and time again to dilute, derail or delay legislation which aims to protect young people from becoming addicted to their lethal product. We must not stand by and allow multinational companies to endanger our children's health."
Action on Smoking & Health (Scotland) (ASH Scotland) is a registered Scottish charity (SC 010412) and a company limited by guarantee(Scottish company no 141711). The registered office is 8 Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 2HB.
© 2012 ASH Scotland
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