OREANDA-NEWS. Philip Morris International (NYSE/Euronext Paris: PM) today comments on the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union following its legal review of the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (“TPD”).

Marc Firestone, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Philip Morris International, said:

“Today’s judgment is specific to detailed aspects of EU law, and reflects the substantial deference that the Court of Justice often shows to the EU institutions when reviewing EU legislation.”

The Court’s opinion clarifies that the TPD does not necessarily preclude a Member State from adopting plain packaging, providing it can show that the measure respects private property, a competitive marketplace, and consumer access to information, and that it complies with domestic, European, and international law.

PMI and Member States participating in the case were seeking clarity on certain provisions of the TPD that appear to disrupt the balance of authority that the EU Treaties establish between the EU and the Member States, and violate the internal market principles upon which the EU was established.

Firestone continued, “The Court has not considered whether plain packaging is legal or is capable of reducing smoking rates. Those questions are currently under review by the English High Court and the World Trade Organization. We look forward to the outcome of those proceedings, as well as the timely implementation of the Directive in each of the 28 Member States.”

About Philip Morris International Inc. (“PMI”)

PMI is the world’s leading international tobacco company, with six of the world's top 15 international brands and products sold in more than 180 markets. In addition to the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, including Marlboro, the number one global cigarette brand, and other tobacco products, PMI is engaged in the development and commercialization of Reduced-Risk Products (“RRPs”). RRPs is the term PMI uses to refer to products with the potential to reduce individual risk and population harm in comparison to smoking cigarettes. Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities, and industry-leading scientific substantiation, PMI aims to provide an RRP portfolio that meets a broad spectrum of adult smoker preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements.