Australia's plain tobacco packaging

摘要

The eyes of the world are on Australia in the battle over plain cigarette packaging. Last November, the Australian Government passed the Tobacco Plain Packaging Act 2011. The Act requires tobacco products to be sold in plain packaging from December, 2012, which means removing colourful branding—the key marketing tool used by the tobacco industry. Evidence suggests that plain packaging is significantly less appealing than branded packaging, and can increase negative perceptions of smoking and avoidance behaviours in young adult smokers. As expected, the Act has been subject to a series of unprecedentedly fierce attacks by several tobacco companies, including a legal challenge in Australia's High Court. Such campaigns are not just targeted at Australia-they can also intimidate other countries that might be contemplating taking similar action but for the prospect of court battles with the tobacco industry.