La Prensa S.A. v. General Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health
“Acción de Amparo de Garantías Constitucionales interpuesto por la firma forense Galindo, Arias & López, apoderados Judiciales de la Sociedad Corporación La Prensa S.A. en Contra de la Resolución No. 0573 de febrero de 2019, emitida por la Dirección General de Salud Pública del Ministerio de Salud”, Entrada No. 1007-19, Corte Suprema de Justicia-en Pleno (Supreme Court of Justice of Panama), (2020).
- Panama
- Mar 5, 2020
- Supreme Court of Justice of Panama
An amparo remedy was filed against Resolution No. 0573 of February 27, 2019, issued by the General Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health. The resolution sanctioned La Prensa S.A. with a fine of B$ 10,000.00 for publishing a news article on IQOS, Philip Morris's heated tobacco product, sponsored by the manufacturer. The article was titled "NEW ALTERNATIVES COMING FOR ADULT SMOKERS". La Prensa was fined as a result of non-compliance with the total ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. La Prensa objected to the fine on the basis that its constitutional rights to be heard, to offer evidence, and to due process were violated. However, the Court declined to grant the amparo and upheld the sanction since the Ministry of Health acted according to its legal powers.