Australia makes it plain on tobacco branding

By Peter Firth and Ellie Osborne

Canberra – The Australian government has passed a law forcing cigarette brands to use plain packaging.

The new legislation prohibits the use of brand logos or icons, but companies will be allowed to print their name and tobacco brand in a small font on the front of packs. By law, graphic health warnings on tobacco packs must cover 75% of the front and 90% of the back.

This is a good example of the use of Prohibition Culture through packaging. For more on this sector, look out for our forthcoming Packaging Futures report, coming soon to The Future Laboratory’s online shop.