Anti-smoking report attacked

FOUR tobacco giants yesterday launched a legal battle against an official report which recommends a bar on smoking in public places and a complete ban on tobacco advertising.

British American Tobacco, Gallaher, Imperial and Rothmans, who produce more than 90 per cent of all UK brands of cigarettes, applied for a judicial review of the report of the Scientific Committee On Tobacco and Health. The tobacco industry fears that if the report is taken on board by the Department of Health their businesses will be seriously damaged.