Tobacco firms face world-first ban in Australia

Australia’s government has revealed the world’s toughest anti-tobacco bill, preventing companies from displaying their distinctive colours, brand designs and logos on cigarette packs in a bid to make smoking less attractive to the young.

Tobacco giants, which say the move illegally diminishes the value of their trademarks, are funding a nationwide advertising campaign that brands Australia a nanny state and warns that alcohol will become the government’s next target.