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Australian court rejects challenge to anti-tobacco marketing laws | Yahoo! Health
What do you think, should this law be passed and should other countries follow suit? Having had a grandmother who died from lung cancer, personally I see no problem with labeling cigarettes with what they really are. Kudos to Australia for having the balls to stand up to big tobacco.
CANBERRA (Reuters) - Australia called on the rest of the world to match its tough new anti-tobacco marketing laws after its highest court on Wednesday dismissed a challenge from international cigarette companies in a major test case.
Tobacco giants British American Tobacco, Britain's Imperial Tobacco, Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco challenged the laws in Australia's High Court, claiming the rules were unconstitutional because they effectively extinguished their intellectual property rights.
In a brief statement, the High Court said a majority of its seven judges believed the laws did not breach Australia's constitution. A full judgment will be released later.
The decision means cigarettes and tobacco products must be sold in plain olive green packets without branding from December 1. The plain packages will also carry graphic health warnings.
The laws are in line with World Health Organization recommendations and are being watched closely by Britain, Norway, New Zealand, Canada and India, who are considering similar measures to help fight smoking.
In a brief statement, the High Court said a majority of its seven judges believed the laws did not breach Australia's constitution. A full judgment will be released later.
The decision means cigarettes and tobacco products must be sold in plain olive green packets without branding from December 1. The plain packages will also carry graphic health warnings.
The laws are in line with World Health Organization recommendations and are being watched closely by Britain, Norway, New Zealand, Canada and India, who are considering similar measures to help fight smoking.
What do you think, should this law be passed and should other countries follow suit? Having had a grandmother who died from lung cancer, personally I see no problem with labeling cigarettes with what they really are. Kudos to Australia for having the balls to stand up to big tobacco.
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