Japan Tobacco International (JTI) said it will challenge the plain-packaging law for cigarettes, raising to four the number of major tobacco companies that have initiated legal action.
“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)