Plain Packaging for Cigarette Packs

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Health whether there are plans to introduce plain packaging for cigarette packs in Singapore, as has been legislated in Australia.

Plain packaging of tobacco products was introduced in Australia through a new legislation in December 2012. All tobacco products, including cigarette packs, are now required to be sold in plain, olive colour packaging, with large graphic health warnings and the brand printed in a standard font at the bottom of the pack. This move is intended to deny tobacco companies the use of attractive packaging to market cigarettes.

The tobacco companies and several countries have challenged the legality of the measures. While the legal challenges in Australia’s domestic courts by the tobacco companies have failed, the question of whether the legislation infringes on intellectual property rights and violates global trade laws is pending dispute resolution between state parties at the World Trade Organisation. Australia has also been challenged by a tobacco company through the Hong Kong-Australia Bilateral Investment Treaty on grounds of unlawful expropriation of its investments and valuable intellectual property without compensation.

My Ministry is closely monitoring the developments in Australia and around the world on this plain packaging, with regard to the legal issues as well as its effectiveness. Tobacco control is and continues to be a public health priority in Singapore. Any new control measure will be considered as part of a multi-pronged approach to reduce smoking prevalence.