Tobacco companies' appeal against plain packaging stubbed out by High Court

Tobacco companies have lost their latest court battle against British government rules that say cigarettes must come in plain packaging.

In May, the Department of Health issued guidance for manufacturers and retailers stating packs must be in "standardised packaging" in "a non-shiny drab dark brown".

A number of companies, including British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International, went to court to challenge the guidance, shortly before it came into effect.

The High Court has decided the guidance was "valid and lawful in all respects".

The companies are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court.

They argue that the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 would destroy property rights and make products indistinguishable from each other.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of health charity Ash, said the ruling was a “victory for public health and another crushing defeat for the tobacco industry."