British American Tobacco Settles Case Against MOH

The case brought against the Minister of Health by British American Tobacco through its local subsidiary Carreras has been settled. News came on Thursday morning as the parties squared off in the Supreme Court. In a quick reaction Health Minister the Honourable Dr. Fenton Ferguson welcomed the development, saying it is always better to settle issues amicably rather than through costly litigation.

“With the fact that I made certain announcements and how prepared we were to deal with this matter I had no doubt that this could be easily done away with. The Tobacco Regulations are here to stay and we are ready to stand behind them”, he said.

The suit called for a judicial review, claiming among other things that the Health Minister acted ultra vires in implementing a ban on smoking in specified public places. Dr. Ferguson on Tuesday announced a raft of changes to the July 15, 2013 Regulations. At the same time he declared that the amendments were a response to public suggestions and should not be construed as bowing to the pressure of mighty tobacco companies.