Three tobacco companies have now threatened legal action over Ireland’s new plain packaging tobacco laws. Japan Tobacco International, Philip Morris and Imperial Tobacco have all written to the government through three different legal firms.

The legislation was signed into law by the President last week and will take effect on a date to be decided by the Minister for Health. Ministers have said the state is ready to stand its ground in court if necessary.

Yep, that’s right flat out spending taxpayer money in a tyrannous attack on private property rights. I hope the govt loses and I hope it costs them millions. And I hope John Key’s National Party is keeping an eye on the happenings in Ireland.