Plain speaking

Plain packaging for tobacco products throughout the EU could be a reality, the EU health Commissioner has implied. At a meeting hosted by the European Parliament, the Commissioner suggested that there should be changes to the EU tobacco products directive to include electonic cigarettes as well as minimising the attractiveness of tobacco products. Recently announced plans to reduce tobacco consumption in France include plain packaging and higher prices. Australia, the first country to adopt plain packaging, is facing a variety of legal challenges to the new regime.