There has been important progress on plain packaging in the 12 months since the Australian Government announced April 29, 2010 that it would be bringing forward plain packaging. A list of developments internationally is below (new research studies are not included in the list.) If anyone is aware of any additional developments, it would be appreciated if you could indicate this.
April 29, 2010 – Australian Prime Minister and Minister of Health announce that plain packaging will be required in Australia as of July 1, 2012. For the news release, see:
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/
The release is also at:
http://www.ashaust.org.au/lv4/
Sept 24, 2010 – European Commission launches public consultation on revision to the European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive. One of the measures for consultation is plain/generic packaging. The consultation deadline was December 17, 2010.
http://ec.europa.eu/health/
November 3, 2010 – The New Zealand Parliament’s Maori Affairs Committee releases its report entitled “Inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Māori: Report of the Māori Affairs Committee”. The report recommends implementation of plain packaging, stating: “Recommendation 7, That the tobacco industry be required to provide tobacco products exclusively in plain packaging, harmonising with the proposed requirement in Australia from 2012.” See pages 16-18 of the Report:
November 30, 2010 – British Health Secretary releases a White Paper entitled, “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England” covering many health issues, including tobacco control. The White Paper states (p.37): “The Government will look at whether the plain packaging of tobacco products could be an effective way to reduce the number of young people taking up smoking and to help those who are trying to quit smoking. […] Details on how we propose to proceed will be set out in the Tobacco Control Plan.” See:
News release: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/
White paper: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_
December 7, 2010 – Yves Bur, a member of France’s National Assembly and a longtime tobacco control champion, introduces in the National Assembly Bill No. 3005, Bill aiming to establish plain and standardized packaging for cigarettes (Proposition de loi visant à l’instauration d’un paquet de cigarettes neutre et standardisé). The bill outlines some of the specificiations of plain packaging, and the bill authorizes the Minister of Health to define remaining specifications). The bill and introductory statement from Yves Bur (in French) can be seen here:
http://www.assemblee-
Jan. 19, 2011. – Belgium’s Health Minister, in response to a question in the Belgium Parliament, expresses support for plain packaging, including at European Union level. See pp. 19-20 of the following (in French, and in Dutch):
http://www.dekamer.be/doc/
March 9, 2011 – British Government releases a new tobacco control plan “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A Tobacco Control Plan for England”. As part of the plan, the government reiterates that it will examine plain packaging, stating (p.22) “We will consult on options to reduce the promotional impact of tobacco packaging, including plain packaging, before the end of 2011.” See:
News release:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/
the plan itself (pdf):
http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_
March 14, 2011 – New Zealand Government responds to the Maori Affairs Committee report stating “The Government is monitoring Australia’s progress on its proposal to legislate for plain packaging of tobacco products in 2012, and will consider the possibility of New Zealand aligning with Australia. New Zealand Government officials have commenced discussions with respective
Australian counterparts on the possible alignment. An initial report back to Cabinet is due by 30 June 2011.” See (pp.7,8):
April 7, 2011 – Australian Government releases for consultation draft legislation to require plain packaging for all tobacco products, with the consultation deadline June 6, 2011. The legislation would take effect July 1, 2012. See:
http://www.yourhealth.gov.au/
April 7, 2011 – New Zealand Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia responds to the Australian announcement stating: “We are very supportive of today’s announcement by Australian health minister Nicola Roxon and it is my expectation that New Zealand will inevitably follow their lead and look to introduce the plain packaging of tobacco products.” See:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/
