Australia's highest court Tuesday began hearing a challenge from tobacco companies to the new plain-packaging laws due to come into effect later this year.

British American Tobacco, Philip Morris, Imperial Tobacco Australia and Japan Tobacco International argue that the law is unconstitutional as it infringes their intellectual property rights by banning the use of brands and trademarks.
They argue that removing logos and company colours will lead to a drastic cut in profits and see fake products enter the market. They also say that it is unconstitutional for the government to remove trademarks from packaging without compensation.
Nicola Roxon, who began the campaign for the drab green packaging when she was the Health Minister and who is now continuing the fight as the country's Attorney General, rejected the claims, saying that the sale and advertising of tobacco had always been subject to laws and regulations.
The proceedings, being heard before seven judges in the High Court in Canberra, are scheduled to run until Thursday. It is not clear when a decision might be reached.
Australia last year passed legislation requiring all tobacco to be sold in plain packets with graphic health warnings from 1 December 2012. It is the first country to pass such stringent packaging legislation. (pi)