As the World prepares to mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31, Australia is pioneering in reducing the appeal of smoking with the first plain tobacco packaging law. In December 2012, Australia’s world-first laws on tobacco plain packaging came into full effect. Since then, all tobacco products in Australia must be sold in standardised drab, dark brown packaging with large graphic health warnings. There are no tobacco industry logos, brand imagery, colours or promotional text. Brand and product names are printed in the same small font below hard-hitting warnings depicting the health consequences of smoking.
How Plain packaging works:
Plain packaging aims to reduce the attractiveness and appeal of tobacco products, increase the noticeability and effectiveness of mandated health warnings, and reduce the ability of retail packaging to mislead consumers about the harms of smoking. Australia’s measure is based on a broad range of research and is supported by leading public health experts. By enacting the new legislation as part of a package of measures, Australia has led the way in implementing Articles 11 and 13 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the global tobacco control treaty that commits its more than 170 Parties to reduce demand and supply of tobacco products.
Please find the link to the Australia Plain Packaging experience; http://www.who.int/features/2013/australia_tobacco_packaging/en/index.html