The UK may follow Australia's example, by introducing tough new laws to restrict the designs on cigarette packaging.
Australia's new laws came into effect on 1 December, effectively prohibiting cigarette manufacturers from distinguishing themselves in their packaging designs.
The laws restrict the use of logos, colours and branding.
The new Australian cigarette packets are all a standardised olive colour and feature large images of some of the dangerous health consequences for smokers. The only identifying feature on the packs is the brand name, which is placed in a standard font on the front.
The purpose of the new laws, according to the Australian Government, is to deter youngsters from taking up the habit by removing the glamour of the packaging.
In August the tobacco industry finally lost their court battle against the proposals. They had argued that the laws extinguished their intellectual property rights by preventing them from distinguishing their brand from others. Australia's highest court rejected their arguments.
The tobacco industry also believes that the legislation will assist counterfeiters by making it easier to copy package designs, aiding the black-market trade in cut-price cigarettes.
The impact of the laws is being closely watched by several other countries, including Britain. Earlier this year the Government launched a consultation to gather views on the introduction of similar laws in the UK.
The laws have been welcomed by cancer charities.
"The Australian Government is to be applauded. Today marks the day when tobacco companies are further stymied in their efforts to recruit Australian children into a lethal addiction," said Dr Harpal Kumar, the chief executive of Cancer Research UK.
Source:
UK Eyes Oz's Tough Anti-Smoking Laws (Sky News)
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