The government sent to parliament its long awaited plain-packaging bill that would make Australia the first country in the world to mandate plain brown cigarette packs.

If adopted, the legislation will make it an offence to sell, supply, purchase, package, or manufacture tobacco products for retail sale in anything other than the plain packaging requirements, which prohibit brand imagery or promotional text, beginning next year, the Health Ministry said in a statement today. The maximum penalty will be AUD 220,000 (EUR 162,600) for individuals and AUD 1.1 million for corporations.
“The only thing to distinguish one brand from another will be the brand and product name in a standard colour, standard position and standard font size and style. In addition, health warnings will be updated and increased from 30 per cent to 75 per cent of the front of the pack, as well as 90 per cent of the back,” the ministry said.  (pi)