Scottish Government’s tobacco ban to face Supreme Court challenge

THE Scottish Government faces a legal battle over its cigarette display policy after Imperial Tobacco announced it was challenging the ban in the Supreme Court.

• Decision expected to be reserved until a later date

• Imperial argue display bans do not cut consumption

• Scottish Government says ban needed to curb “devastating effects” of smoking

Lawyers representing Imperial, which is based in Bristol, asked a panel of five Supreme Court justices in London to analyse issues after twice failing to persuade Scottish judges to set aside legislative provisions.

The hearing is due to end later this week and justices are expected to reserve judgment to a later date.

Ministers say display bans are needed to protect future generations from the “devastating effects” of smoking.

Imperial says there is no credible evidence that display bans have cut tobacco consumption.

And the firm argues that the legislative provisions dealing with display bans fall outside the scope of the Scottish Government and are matters reserved for the UK Parliament in London.

Imperial, the firm behind Lambert & Butler and Richmond cigarette brands, is also opposing a ban on tobacco vending machines.

The company’s civil court challenge has delayed the implementation of measures aimed at stopping people smoking.

Ministers had intended to introduce the display ban in large shops in Scotland - the first part of the UK to adopt a ban on smoking in public places - in April.