Anti-smoking groups ask Ottawa to adopt Australia’s logo ban on cigarette packs

OTTAWA – Anti-smoking groups are urging Ottawa to adopt an Australian law that prohibits tobacco companies from displaying their logos on cigarette packs.

Australia’s highest court on Wednesday dismissed a challenge from global tobacco manufacturers against a so-called plain packaging law — considered the world’s toughest law on cigarette promotion.

Rob Cunningham of the Canadian Cancer Society says the ruling shows a similar Canadian law would be constitutional on public health grounds.

He says the ruling shows there is “international momentum” in favour of the move as countries such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom and others consider following Australia — the first country to ban logos.

Non-smokers’ Rights Association policy director Melanie Tilson says branded cigarette packaging is a key part of tobacco overall marketing strategy, and that a ban would help reduce smoking rates.

Health Canada increased the size of graphic warnings on packages to 75 per cent this June, but a motion calling for bigger images was voted down by Conservative MPs in Parliament.