FEVACU v. Venezuela

Plaintiffs, two individuals and a consumer protection advocate organization, sought legal protection for Venezuelan citizens.  Plaintiffs maintained that Venezuela had assumed the obligation of protecting the right to health of its citizens from the harmful effects of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke by undertaking a range of measures by virtue of its ratification of the Framework Convention of Tobacco Control (FCTC).  Plaintiffs requested that the Court order the government to promote and publish the FCTC in the official gazette, enforce smoke-free regulations, and regulate tobacco products, among others things. Recognizing the rights of the Venezuelan population to life and a healthy and safe environment, the Court declared itself competent to hear the case and admitted the plaintiffs' claim.

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FEVACU, et al v. Venezuela, et al, 08-0520, Sala Constitucional del Tribunal Supremo de Justicia [Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court] (2008).

  • Venezuela
  • Oct 21, 2008
  • Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala Constitucional del Tribunal Supremo de Justicia)

Parties

Plaintiff

  • FEVACU (Federacion Venezolana de Asociaciones de Consumidores y Usuarios) represented by its President, Arnoldo Benitez Castillo
  • Giorgo di Muro di Nunno
  • Wolfgang Cardozo Espinel

Defendant

  • Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
  • Ministry of the People's Power of Health
  • National Assembly

Legislation Cited

Ley de Impuestos sobre Cigarrillos y Manufacturas del Tabaco (Tax Law on Cigarettes and Manufacturing of Tobacco)

International/Regional Instruments Cited

Related Documents

Type of Litigation

Tobacco Control Topics

Substantive Issues

Type of Tobacco Product

None