“This legislation will stop JTI from using its brands, which are its most valuable property,” said Stefan Fitz, the company’s regional president for Asia Pacific in a statement on 14 Dec. Branding will be severely restricted and the colour of the packet will be a standard olive-brown from late in 2012. Warnings, both graphic and written, will cover most of the major display surfaces on the front and back.
Geneva-based JTI, Imperial Tobacco, British American Tobacco and Philip Morris are challenging the constitutionality of the law. Australia is the first country to adopt generic packaging as a means to discourage smoking. (ci) |
