European Court Overturning of Tobacco Advertising Ban: "Flies in the Face of Public Opinion"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 4th Oct 2000

The European Court of Justice has overturned the European Union's ban on tobacco advertising after tobacco manufacturers complained.

Diana Wallis MEP has said that the judgement is "more than disappointing, and flies in the face of public opinion."

"The European Parliament and the Commission should be able to introduce laws in areas that are appropriate, and especially areas where public opinion is behind us. The Court, by doing this, puts Europe into a legalistic straitjacket," continued the Lib Dem Euro-MP for Yorkshire & the Humber.

When the issue of tobacco product presentation came before Diana Wallis MEP's Legal Affairs Committee, she conducted a widespread public consultation exercise asking whether public health was an area in which the EU should legislate.

"The public responded to my consultation in writing and over my website. Overwhelmingly, recognising the dangers of smoking, the public wanted stronger health warnings on cigarette packets. Parliament responded to that concern.

"If we want Europe to be in tune with its citizens we have to take note of what the people want. The only winners, once again, are the tobacco manufacturers."