Language of document :

Request for a preliminary ruling from the Conseil d’État (France) lodged on 6 August 2018 — Fédération des fabricants de cigares v Premier ministre, Ministre des Solidarités et de la Santé

(Case C-517/18)

Language of the case: French

Referring court

Conseil d’État

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Fédération des fabricants de cigares

Defendants: Premier ministre, Ministre des Solidarités et de la Santé

Other party: Société nationale d’exploitation industrielle des tabacs et allumettes (SEITA)

Questions referred

Must Article 13(1) and (3) of Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 1 be interpreted as prohibiting the use, on unit packets, outside packaging and tobacco products, of any brand name calling to mind certain qualities, however well-known it is?

Depending on the interpretation to be given to Article 13(1) and (3) of the Directive, do those provisions, in so far as they apply to names and trade marks, comply with the right to property, freedom of expression, the freedom to conduct a business and the principles of proportionality and legal certainty?

If the answer to the previous question is in the affirmative, do the provisions of Article 13(1) and (3) of the Directive, taken in conjunction with those of Article 24(2) thereof, respect the right to property, freedom of expression, freedom to conduct business and the principle of proportionality?

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1     Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products and repealing Directive 2001/37/EC (OJ 2014 L 127, p. 1).