Australia Defeat Cigarette Company Lawsuit

Is this the beginning of the end of the cigarette industry in Australia. In Australia the High Court's decision on Wednesday (8/15/2012), the government led by Prime Minister Julia Gillard won the lawsuit filed by the four largest tobacco companies. Their lawsuit with respect to cigarette packages that are no longer include the brands of cigarettes. Last April, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International, Philip Morris and Imperial Tobacco submit their cases to court. But in keputusanya, the government won a majority of justices. The court also decided that the loser must pay the cost of government. According to the Australian news agency, AAP, although a decision has been issued, but the reason why the judges decided it was about to be revealed next few months. One of the supporters of this policy of non-branded package, Kylie Lindorff Quit Victoria says the organization of various tobacco companies are now no longer able to rely on advertising as their promotional tool. "The tobacco companies know very well that the public health reforms that the government would work to reduce smoking, which is why they spend so much money to fight it. With the reforms that came into existence in this world, the next generation of Australia will no longer be deceived by cigarette advertising , "Lindorff said. According to the Cancer Council Victoria director Todd Harper, the decision will give confidence to the government of other countries such as Britain and New Zealand to do the same thing. According to the Reuters correspondent in Australia, L. Sastra Wijaya, when they filed suit, the tobacco companies said that the government unlawfully seizing their property without compensation because they prohibit use of existing rights. But apparently the judges did not agree with it. Cigarette companies also said the government took over their property by advertising "anti smoking" in their place and therefore should pay. With this decision, all cigarettes and other tobacco products will be sold in packs of green, with a major health hazard warnings, starting in December. Tobacco company name will only be a small manufacturer. Australian federal government and various states have been increasingly vociferous attempt to stop smoking. In the most recent rules such as the citizens are prohibited from smoking at bus stops. If caught, they could get fined. And campaigns carried out so far, according to the Cancer Council of Victoria state, Todd Harper has shown results. In their recent study, found smoking rates in Victoria declined below 15 percent, and 70 percent of people aged 18-29 years had never smoked at all.