British American Tobacco (BAT) was sentenced at the end of February by the Paris court to a fine of 100,000 euros.

The tobacco company was accused of illegal advertising and propaganda in favor of its vaping products.

A complaint had been filed in court by two associations, the National Committee against Tobacco (CNCT) and DNF-For a Zero Tobacco World (DNF).

These two organizations, which recalled the whole affair in a press release on Tuesday, believed that BAT had broken the law by advertising its Vype vaping products (now Vuse) on its website and on Instagram.

A possible appeal for BAT France

French justice agreed with them, condemning BAT France on February 28 to pay 50,000 euros in damages to each of the associations.

In addition to this sentence, 10,000 euros in reimbursement of legal costs for each of the complainants.

BAT France "awaits the publication of the reasons for the judgment in order to understand the decision in detail and take any useful measure to ensure [its] proper execution", reacted the company, not excluding an appeal.

“The penalty must be commensurate with the substantial sums involved in this communication battle,” the court said.

“Legislation concerning advertising for tobacco and related products responds to public health and public order objectives.

»

Several convictions in recent years

The law aims to avoid the “excessive consumption” of these products which can cause particularly serious illnesses.

The aim is also to fight against “various and varied trafficking including counterfeiting”.

Tobacco manufacturers are "perfectly aware of these regulations", further note the judges.

BAT had already been fined 5,000 euros in February 2021, 10,000 euros in fines in October 2011 and 100,000 euros in October 2013. The "financial surface" of these companies enabled them to embark on vast advertising campaigns in favor of vaping products.

Health

Vaping: The "puff", disposable electronic cigarette in vogue among teens, worried

Health

Tobacco: The HCSP recommends that doctors not advise vaping to wean themselves off

  • Justice

  • Fine

  • Vaping

  • Health

  • Conviction

  • Advertising

  • 0 comment

  • 0 share

    • Share on Messenger

    • Share on Facebook

    • Share on Twitter

    • Share on Flipboard

    • Share on Pinterest

    • Share on Linkedin

    • Send by Mail

  • To safeguard

  • A fault ?

  • To print