Plain Packaging and Way Forward for India

To control the widespread tobacco epidemic, countries around the world have considered and adopted different methods like ban on advertisements, pictorial health warnings, restriction on sale etc. Plain Packaging is the latest tool in the armoury for tobacco control measures. The method is also recognised under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Plain Packaging bars the usage of logos, colours or images on the packaging but requires that the packaging shall be in plain font of a defined size and at the specific place. The introduction of the plain packaging law by Australia in 2012was opposed by the tobacco producers. Some countries challenged the law before the Dispute Settlement Body of the WTO. The decision of the WTO Appellate Body held the law to be valid and in confirmation of TRIPS Agreement. India has been at forefront of tobacco control measures and has adopted several measures for tobacco control. This article introduces to the concept of plain packaging, offers a detailed analysis of the WTO decision, and finally discusses the Indian position on tobacco control and way forward for it.