The European Court of Justice has given the European Union permission to outlaw all menthol cigarettes from 2020 onward. Poland and Romania had filed a complaint against that future ban, but to no avail.
“Good for public health”
The Court feels menthol flavour is added to cigarettes to make them more appealing, while the European Union wants to lower tobacco consumption and push back addiction. That is why it feels that any ban on cigarettes with added flavour is in favour of the public health.
Aside from the ruling on menthol cigarettes, the European Court of Justice also confirmed that stricter regulations regarding cigarette packaging, like horrific images, are allowed. From 2020, 65 % of packaging has to contain health warnings, a decision several major manufacturers tried to fight by filing a complaint.
The new legislation has caused turmoil with newspaper agents, who point towards the European Union as displaying hypocritical behaviour, as the EU earns a lot from taxes on tobacco and cigarettes.
