Industryweek 3647 Phillipmorrisintlplant

Hearings to Begin in Anti-smoking Lawsuit by Philip Morris International Against Uruguay

Feb. 4, 2013
In March 2006, Uruguay became the first Latin American country and the fifth nation worldwide to implement a ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay -- Uruguay faces its first hearings in the French capital this week in a lawsuit filed by U.S. tobacco giant Philip Morris International (IW 50/4) against its anti-smoking laws, an official said Monday.

In early 2010, Philip Morris filed a complaint with the World Bank's International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), seeking damages allegedly caused by the Latin American country's anti-tobacco measures, claiming they violated a bilateral investment treaty and harmed the company.

"Hearings are tomorrow and the day after," said government official Jose Mujica, noting the parties were meeting with the court in Paris Monday and that an initial hearing would focus on whether Philip Morris met the necessary legal requirements in filing its complaint.

In March 2006, Uruguay became the first Latin American country and the fifth nation worldwide to implement a ban on smoking in enclosed public places.

It also enacted some of the world's toughest tobacco laws, requiring large health warnings on packages and banning advertising and the use of multiple products for one brand.

Diego Canepa, head of the Uruguay delegation, said the case was being closely monitored internationally and could have negative repercussions for Uruguay.

"Many people are watching this case around the world," he told local radio from Paris.

A first ruling was not expected until May, he added.

In October 2011, Philip Morris International closed its plant in Uruguay and moved its local production to neighboring Argentina.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2013

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Process Mining For Dummies

Nov. 19, 2023
Here it is. Everything you need to know about process mining in a single book, written in the easy-to-understand, hard-to-forget style that ‘For Dummies’ manages so effortlessly...

Digitally Transforming Data and Processes With Product Lifecycle Management

Oct. 29, 2023
Manufacturers face increasing challenges in product development as they strive to consistently deliver improved results. Discover how industry leaders are improving time-to-market...

Navigate Complex Cybersecurity Requirements With Purpose-Built Technology Solutions

Dec. 6, 2023
The CMMC represents a critical mandate from the U.S. DOD. Aerospace & Defense manufacturers that handle controlled unclassified information (CUI) must comply with CMMC requirements...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!