Philip Morris says today's High Court decision supporting the plain packaging of cigarettes would not affect other legal challenges to the Australian government's plan. Following the court decision, challenges to Australia's packaging rules remain from three countries - the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Ukraine - through the World Trade Organisation. Marlboro-maker Phillip Morris is also suing Australia for alleged breaches of Australia's Bilateral Investment Treaty with Hong Kong.
“We believe that Philip Morris Asia's investment treaty case and the WTO challenges are strong,” said PML spokesperson Chris Argent. “As such, there is still a long way to go before all the legal questions about plain packaging are fully explored and answered.”
