British American Tobacco on Thursday became the second tobacco giant to launch legal action against Australian laws forcing tobacco products to be sold in drab, plain packaging from next year, following the lead of Philip Morris. The laws, cleared by parliament, are being watched closely by governments considering similar moves in Europe, Canada and New Zealand. They have angered tobacco firms who fear they may set a global precedent and infringe on trademark rights. BAT, lodging papers with Australia’s High Court in Sydney, said the tough world-first laws should be struck down because the government was infringing on the company’s intellectual property and branding without proper compensation. “If the same type of legislation was introduced for a beer brewing company or a fast food chain, then they’d be taking the government to court … Read entire article »

The head of the World Health Organization has urged countries to stand together against tobacco companies that are trying to “harass” them into softening their anti-smoking stance, according to an Associated Press story. “Tobacco is the only industry that produces products to make huge profits and at the same time damage the health and kill their consumers,” WHO director-general, Margaret Chan, was quoted as telling officials at a public health meeting in Geneva. “How can we as an international community allow big tobacco to harass countries?” Chan said Australia, Uruguay, Norway and the US were among the countries targeted by the tobacco industry over measures to reduce smoking-related disease. tobaccoreporter.com … Read entire article »