Australia cigarette plain packaging law upheld by court
15.08.2012,
15:45
Australia's highest court has upheld a new government law on mandatory packaging for cigarettes that removes brand colours and logos from packaging, BBC reports Wednesday.
YEREVAN, August 15. /ARKA/. Australia's highest court has upheld a new government law on mandatory packaging for cigarettes that removes brand colours and logos from packaging, BBC reports Wednesday.
The law requires cigarettes to be sold in olive green packets, with graphic images warning of the consequences of smoking.
Leading global tobacco manufacturers, including British American Tobacco and Philip Morris, had challenged the law.
The new packaging rules are scheduled to be implemented from 1 December 2012.
"At least a majority of the court is of the opinion that the Act is not contrary to (Australia's constitution)," the court said in a brief statement.
The full judgement is expected to be published on a later date. —0-
