Health officials around the world hailed the decision by Australia 's high court , which stubbed out claims by tobacco companies that the packaging of cigarettes without branding was unconstitutional . The Australian decision raises the hopes of anti-tobacco forces of similar moves in other nations . `` We are elated with this victory , '' said Bungon Ritthiphakdee , director of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance . `` We also draw inspiration from the Australian government for standing up against the challenges from the tobacco industry and all its artillery for trying to block this move -- and winning . This win for Australia prepares the path for the ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations ) . '' Opinion : Australian tobacco packaging laws misguided . `` With Australia 's victory , public health enters a brave new world of tobacco control , '' said Dr. Margaret Chan , director-general of the World Health Organization . `` Plain packaging is a highly effective way to counter industry 's ruthless marketing tactics . '' Tobacco products in Australia must be in plain packaging without logos and have graphic health warnings as of December 1 . It 's the latest move in a global trend toward packing that shows diseased organs , dying patients , skin lesions or other medical maladies caused by smoking . Australia : Ruling shows 'big tobacco can be taken on and beaten ' Canada was the first nation to pass legislation requiring a graphic health warning in 2001 -- 41 nations have since followed suit . Canada and 18 other nations require at least 50 % of the packaging to contain health warnings . Until the Australian decision , the nation that required the most prominent warning was Uruguay , where 80 % of packages contain graphic health advisories . Tobacco companies said the Australian ruling -- which would eliminate iconic branding from appearing on the package -- would raise the amount of counterfeit products on the market , eroding government taxes collected on tobacco . More : Should smoking trigger an R rating ? Last year the United States unveiled nine graphic health warning labels that must cover half the area of cigarette packages by this September .
Health officials around the world hailed the decision by Australia 's high court . New way for cigarettes to be sold in Australia without iconic branding . 42 countries around the world require graphic warning labels on cigarettes . Canada and all other countries require at least 50 % of a pack to be health warnings .