State wants to have legal challenge brought against its plan to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes referred to EU court

Smoking just one to four cigarettes a day can triple a person's risk of cardiovascular disease

Aodhan O'Faolain

The State wants to have a legal challenge brought against its plan to introduce plain packaging on tobacco products referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Commercial Court has heard.

JTI Ireland Ltd has challenged the Government's plan to bring in plain packaging claiming it cannot unilaterally introduce it on its products as a member of the EU.