International report reveals ongoing advancements in tobacco plain packaging worldwide

Plain packaging includes health warnings on packages and prohibits tobacco company branding such as colours, logos and design elements. Presently, 42 countries and territories are actively moving ahead with plain packaging. Canada became the first country in the world to require picture health warnings in 2001. The Canadian Cancer Society says plain packaging is a key measure to protect youth and to reduce tobacco use. The report also features the Canadian requirement for a warning directly on every individual cigarette. This world precedent setting measure will start to appear on cigarettes in Canada by Apr.