Supermarkets Face Legal Challenge Over Heated Tobacco Product Promotion

  • Government urges Sainsbury’s and Morrisons to stop advertising heated tobacco products
  • Heated tobacco devices create nicotine-containing vapour through electric current
  • PMI insists it has complied with all applicable laws and regulations since 2016 launch
  • Government will clarify the law when Tobacco and Vapes Bill is passed

The UK government has written to Sainsbury’s and Morrisons urging them to cease advertising and promoting heated tobacco products, claiming that the 2002 Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act applies to all tobacco products on the market. Both supermarkets previously believed their in-store adverts for Philip Morris International’s iQos devices were legal. PMI maintains it has complied with all applicable laws since the product’s 2016 launch. The government will clarify the law when the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is expected to ban all vape and tobacco adverts, is passed.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the government’s stance on heated tobacco products advertising in supermarkets and includes statements from both the government and the retailers involved. It also mentions the ongoing debate over the interpretation of the law and the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the government’s stance on advertising heated tobacco products and includes statements from both the retailers and the Department of Health. It also mentions the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill. However, it could benefit from more in-depth analysis or discussion of the legal implications and potential consequences for the involved parties.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the government’s letter to Sainsbury’s and Morrisons regarding advertising and promoting heated tobacco products, which is a financial topic as it involves companies in the retail industry. However, there is no direct impact on financial markets or specific companies mentioned.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailgazette.co.uk