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Plain Packaging – Our View

We are strongly opposed to the plain packaging of tobacco products. The possible consequences of plain tobacco packaging are very serious:
  • While we support the government tobacco control programmes focussing on education and awareness, there is no proof that plain tobacco packaging will have any effect on smoking uptake.
  • Plain packaging means price becomes the most obvious distinguishing factor between brands. Competition could drive down prices, and consumption levels could increase as smokers switch to cheaper and/or counterfeit cigarettes.
  • The plainer the pack, the easier it is to counterfeit, and criminals will profit at the expense of taxpayers and honest retailers. Illegal tobacco will continue to grow rapidly.
  • As a legal business, we are entitled to use our packs to distinguish our products from those of our competitors.
  • We will defend the intellectual property within our packaging. If that requires us to take legal action, then we will do so.
  • These unintended consequences may end up costing Australian taxpayers billions of dollars.
  • No alcohol, confectionary or fast food company would allow the Government to take away their brand identity. Where do you draw the line?

Watch David Crow, CEO of British American Tobacco Australia talk about the unintended consequences and an expensive experiment.
twitter iconFollow @BATA_Media on twitter to receive real time updates on British American Tobacco Australia's response to the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011.
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