Honduras has complained to the World Trade Organisation about Australian plans to mandate plain packaging for cigarettes.

The request filed on 4 April follows a 13 March filing by Ukraine which asked for consultations with Australia under the WTO dispute settlement process.
The dispute settlements system allows up to 60 days for the consultations. Failure to reach a settlement would open the door to the next step, which is to request a ruling by a WTO panel.
Australia plans to require tobacco companies to produce a standard olive-brown cigarette pack beginning in December. Branding also will be standardised and space devoted to anti-smoking messages will be expanded. A WTO statement said Honduras expressed concerns about the planned requirements for trademark display and plain-packaging. (pi)