Brussels, 18/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 18 December, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Ireland due to the fact that Dublin sets minimum and maximum prices for the retail sales of cigarettes. Referring to the case law of the Court of Justice, the Commission takes the view that these prices run counter to Community legislation, that they distort competition and that they are only of benefit to cigarette manufacturers because they protect their profit margins....