AN electronic cigarette firm’s bid to stop new EU laws restricting sales goes to the Royal Courts of Justice in London today.

Blackburn-based Totally Wicked has been fighting the European Tobacco Products Directive since it was first ann- ounced.

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It claims the rules, due in May 2016, could break EU competition laws by putting e-cigs under tighter restrictions than some tobacco products including pipes, cigars and conventional cigarettes.

The proposed regulations would ban reusable devices with high nicotine hits, limiting the amount of nicotine to levels similar to ordinary cigarettes but not stronger brands, pipes and cigars.

Today, an administrative judge will determine whether or not the firm, which sponsors the Bob Lord Stand at Burnley FC’s Turf Moor ground, can take its challenge to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

If successful, Totally Wicked will be the first electronic cigarette manufacturer in Europe to take its challenge to that level.

Totally Wicked managing director Fraser Cropper told the Lancashire Telegraph earlier this year: “Many of the regulations contained within the Tobacco Products Directive would subject electronic cigarettes to an even stricter regulatory regime than some tobacco products.

“Not only is it disproportionate, we believe it is contrary to established EU law.

“For nearly 30 million people in the EU, electronic cigarettes provide a viable alter-native to smoking tobacco cigarettes.”

Totally Wicked employs 100 people at its base in Stancliffe Street, Mill Hill.