09 January 2013
Peter Leung, Hong Kong
Encouraged by Australia’s new plain packaging law, more countries are taking steps to restrict tobacco products. Managing IP explains the latest developments in Asia
Australia’s tobacco plain packaging law, which requires that all cigarettes be sold in packs with standardised colours, fonts, and devoid of logos, came into effect on December 1 after surviving a constitutional challenge before the High Court. As expected, governments and health organisations around the world are considering their own versions of the law. What might these laws look like, and how are brand owners responding?
Thailand’s proposed tobacco packaging law, the Tobacco Consumption Control Act, look set to go further than Australia’s plain packaging rules when it comes to curtailing brand owners’ rights.
Thailand already has laws regulating tobacco packaging, requiring that 55% of the packaging be covered by graphic health warnings. There are also laws prohibiting advertising and marketing.
Alan Adcock of Tilleke and Gibbons says the latest draft of the plain packaging law contains few specifics about packaging. Instead, the bill leaves the…