New Zealand is the latest country to propose introducing plain cigarette packaging laws
New Zealand has emerged as the latest country to propose introducing plain packaging for cigarette boxes.
In a statement released today, which coincides with World No Tobacco Day, the government said it would model the plain packaging requirements on those already in use in Australia, and will propose mandatory health warnings cover at least 75 per cent of packages and prohibit the use of any tobacco imagery.
Although brand names will be allowed, regulations will standardise how and where the printing is.
The authorities released draft regulations and a consultation on the issue, which is said is an "important step" in the process towards its Smokefree 2025 plan.
The Smokefree Environments (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Amendment Bill will be voted on this year, while the consultation period ends on 29 July.
Read more: This chart shows plain packaging's impact on cigarette sales in Australia
New Zealand's associate health minister, Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, said in a statement:
Plain packaging is an important demand reduction measure that reduces the attractiveness of tobacco products, restricts use of tobacco packaging as a form of tobacco advertising and promotion, limits misleading packaging and labelling, and increases the effectiveness of health warnings.
The design and appearance of cigarette packets are powerful marketing tools for vendors. The government is proposing to use the standard brown-green packaging which is similar to what is used in Australia.
The World Health Organization's World No Tobacco Day 2016 campaign, called "Get Ready for Plain Packaging", has also seized upon the same theme, similarly describing it as an "important demand reduction measure".
Plain packaging in the UK
On 20 May, plain cigarette packaging rules were introduced in the UK, after the High Court ruled against a legal challenge from big tobacco firms to block the legislation.
All cigarette packets now manufactured for sale in the UK share the same green base colour, as well as the same font, size, case and alignment of text.
Health warnings also cover 65 per cent of the front and back of packets, to comply with the EU Tobacco Products Directive that was also introduced on 20 May.
The legal challenge was led by Philip Morris International (PMI) and British American Tobacco (BAT), while Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and Imperial Brands were registered as "interested parties".
The challenge focused on the deprivation of intellectual property rights, moves against trademark regulations and unjustified restriction on free movement of goods.