Tobacco giant loses challenge over display ban

The UK’s highest court dismissed an appeal by Imperial Tobacco against the Scottish Government’s attempts to ban the open display of cigarettes in shops.

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

Ministers say display bans will protect future generations from the “devastating effects” of smoking. Imperial argues there is no credible evidence that such bans have cut tobacco consumption.

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

It argued that the legislative provisions dealing with display bans are matters reserved for the UK Parliament in London.

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