Australia takes on Big tobacco - The High Court rules in favour of plain packaging on all ...

31 August 2012, Cairo, Egypt The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean commends Australia's landmark decision to dismiss the tobacco industry's legal claim against the country’s new restrictive tobacco marketing laws. The High Court ruled against Big tobacco in favour of the Australian government implementing a plain packaging policy on all cigarette packs. “This is not only a victory to the Australian government”, says Dr Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean “but a real victory for the tobacco control movement as a whole”. This verdict builds up the momentum for all other countries around the world to pursue and adopt stronger, stricter measures to control tobacco use, fearless of the tobacco industry and other vested interests. Dr Alwan adds, “this verdict gives hope and motivation to all other countries around the world to scale up in their fight against tobacco use”. Australia will be the first country to sell cigarettes in drab, olive-green packaging, in line with the guidelines of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. This landmark decision, announced 15 August 2012, is a public health victory that counters the ruthless marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry and sets an example for the rest of the world to follow. “In his own words”, says Dr Alwan, “Australia’s Minister of Trade, a true visionary, explained: “plain packaging is anti-cancer not anti-trade!” Evidence has shown that plai...
Source: WHO EMRO - Press releases - Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news