A public interest organization sued the government asking it to prohibit the sale, manufacture, and storage of all forms of tobacco and to study the contents of cigarettes, beedis, and other products for smoking tobacco. The court took note of the extensive information submitted by the petitioner about the huge loss of life and impacts on health due to tobacco use. The court noted that although the petition had been filed nearly a year earlier, the government had not yet provided a response. The court ordered the government to respond to the petition within six weeks from the date of the decision.
An individual or organization may sue their own government in order to advance or protect the public interest. For example, an NGO may sue the government claiming the government’s weak tobacco control laws violated their constitutional right to health.
Measures to regulate the marketing on tobacco packages. This includes both bans on false, misleading, deceptive packaging, as well as required health warnings on packaging.
(See FCTC Art. 11)
Measures restricting tobacco sales to or by minors, as well as other retail restrictions relating to point-of-sale, candy and toys resembling tobacco products, vending machines, or free distribution.
(See FCTC Art. 16)
A public interest organization sued the government asking it to prohibit the sale, manufacture, and storage of all forms of tobacco and to study the contents of cigarettes, beedis, and other products for smoking tobacco. The court took note of the extensive information submitted by the petitioner about the huge loss of life and impacts on health due to tobacco use. The court noted that although the petition had been filed nearly a year earlier, the government had not yet provided a response. The court ordered the government to respond to the petition within six weeks from the date of the decision.