Washington, D.C. – Today the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that an Australian law requiring plain packaging of tobacco products does not violate international trade rules. The decision is the result of a case brought forward by Cuba, Indonesia, Honduras and the Dominican Republic against Australia for having adopted plain packaging requirements for tobacco products. Today’s ruling opens the door for other countries to move forward with similar laws around the globe.
A statement from Chris Hansen, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), follows:
“Today’s ruling by the World Trade Organization upholding Australia’s right to require that tobacco products be sold in plain packaging, free of colorful logos and company branding, is significant. As global efforts are made to end the scourge of tobacco use, this ruling could lay the groundwork for other countries to follow Australia’s lead and require plain packaging of tobacco products.
“Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death around the world and is projected to kill one billion people this century unless governments aggressively adopt policies to reduce tobacco consumption and keep youth from starting. Countries can now act to protect the public health with better clarity that they are not violating international trade principles.”