Tweet SYDNEY — Australia’s push to become the first country to mandate cigarette packaging with almost no branding and huge, graphic health-warning labels has inflamed the tempers of tobacco companies, which are vowing to protect shareholder interests by taking their fight to the courts. The proposed laws would mark the latest blow to tobacco firms, already battling volume contraction, swelling illegal trade and global anti-smoking campaigns. ... Jump to full article >>

Tweet Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has accused tobacco companies of using Freedom of Information (FOI) laws to delay anti-smoking reforms. British American Tobacco and Philip Morris have taken out a request for tens of thousands of documents relating to the Government’s plan to introduce plain packaging laws. If implemented, colours, brands, logos and promotional text on cigarette packets will all be banned and the packet will be co ... Jump to full article >>