Move towards tobacco plain packaging praised

Various studies showed that plain packets are less attractive to young adults. Photo / iStock

Tobacco control campaigners say they are thrilled with the Government's decision to press on with plain packaging for tobacco.

Prime Minister John Key said on Monday that he expected the Maori Party-devised plain-packaging regime to advance "sooner rather than later" after new advice from officials said the prospects of a legal challenge were diminishing.

National Maori Tobacco Control manager Zoe Hawke applauded the move, saying plain packs had already led to a fall in tobacco consumption in Australia.

Various studies showed that plain packets were "significantly less attractive" to young adults, she said. Packets with standardised colours and fonts also led to less smoking around others, going without cigarettes, or increased thinking about quitting.

Ash director Stephanie Erick said that Australia's plain-packaging policy had provided "huge benefits", including a fall in smoking rates and a rise in people calling quit-lines.

"We look forward to seeing this law change so that standardised packs can be implemented sooner rather than later."

New Zealand had been keeping an eye on the outcome of legal challenges against Australia's plain packaging, one from tobacco firm Philip Morris and another from tobacco-producing countries via the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Australia won the case against Philip Morris in December.

The WTO challenge is ongoing, but Mr Key said he received advice late last year that the Government was on a "firm footing" to progress plain packaging because several other countries -- including the UK and Ireland -- had introduced it.

These countries did not face challenge under the WTO.

The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), signed on February 4, also allows tobacco control measures, so New Zealand could advance anti-smoking policies without risking a legal challenge.