Post date: Apr 17, 2012 2:59:44 PM
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA (APRIL 17, 2012) (SEVEN NETWORK) - Four multi-national tobacco companies went to court in Australia on Tuesday (April 17) to block planned legislation that enforces cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging.
Four multi-national tobacco companies go to court in Australia to block planned legislation that enforces cigarettes to be sold in plain packaging.
Australia is the only nation planning to introduce plain packaging which will ban eye-catching designs and branding from cigarette packages with the packs displaying the product name in a plain typeface along with graphic health warnings.
British American Tobacco, Philip Morris International, Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco International have joined forces to overturn the plans, arguing the new law could wipe out their business in the country.
Australia's Attorney-General Nicola Roxon was the health minister who led the drive to introduce the legislation and said the plain packaging legislation was for the well-being of the Australian public.
"Our government is determined to take this action because we think it can save lives," she said.
Health campaigners have welcomed the idea of plain packs as it could making smoking less attractive for young people, while the tobacco industry argues it will challenge the use of its trademarks and lead to increased smuggling and job losses.
The companies said their trademarks are protected by law and they have the right to differentiate their brands.
They also say the move will encourage counterfeit products by making it easier to copy generic packaging and there is no evidence that packaging is a reason why people start or continue to smoke.
The legal argument will be closely watched by governments considering similar regulation in Europe, Canada and New Zealand.
"We've already heard that Britain is prepared to introduce it," said anti-smoking campaigner Paul Ronson.
Legislation from the Canberra government is due to take effect by December 2012.