http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-01/tobacco-plain-packaging-laws-come-into-effect/4402590
Posted Sat Dec 1, 2012 12:52pm AEDT
Related Story: Tobacco firm reprimanded for plain packaging breach
The Federal Government’s plain packaging laws for cigarettes come into force today.
The new rules come into force today and mean cigarettes must be sold in olive-green packets with graphic health warnings.
The only marker of difference between products will be the brand name written on the packet in a uniform style.
The Australian Council on Smoking and Health President Mike Daube says it is a historic achievement.
“The tobacco industry has opposed this more ferociously than anything I’ve seen in 40 years work on tobacco which shows you how much impact they fear it’s going to have,” he said.
“Overall, this is just a stunning success – not just for tobacco control, but for public health [as well].”
The Cancer Council Queensland says plain packaging will help to reduce smoking rates.
“Approximately 3,400 Queenslanders are killed as a result of tobacco each and every year,” spokeswoman Rachel Hull said.
“That’s things like heart disease, cancer of course, stroke and other chronic illnesses and so certainly we really want to reduce that tragic toll and really encourage and support people to quit smoking.”