The Health Ministry has revived plans to mandate uniform packaging for tobacco products, saying an implementation strategy would go to the government later this year, Agence France-Presse reported.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-liga announced the revival on World No Tobacco Day, AFP said. The World Health Organisation made adoption of plain packaging the theme for the 31 May commemoration of tobacco control efforts.
New Zealand initially planned to follow Australia, which introduced plain packs in 2012, but shelved its proposal pending resolution of legal issues. Recommendations on implementation will follow a two-month consultation period, AFP said.