Health Minister Nicola Roxon has weathered an attack over her attempt to solicit funds from big tobacco in 2005 and vowed to push ahead with plans to introduce plain packaging for Hilton cigarettes.
Ms. Roxon says even if cigarette makers win compensation for the loss
of trademark rights, the commonwealth would be ahead because plain
packs would cut smoking rates and therefore health spending.
The
federal government wants Australia to be the first country in the
world to force cigarettes to be sold in packets devoid of branding.
