Johannesburg - South Africa will follow Australia's example
by trying to ban the display of brand names on tobacco packets, according to a
report on Thursday.
"... We will do it, definitely," Health Minister
Aaron Motsoaledi was quoted as telling The Times newspaper.
"Rest assured, I am extremely excited."
On Wednesday, the High Court of Australia ruled that the
measures did not breach the country's constitution. They stipulate that, from
December 1, tobacco products be sold in drab, uniform packaging with graphic
health warnings.
Four companies had challenged the law, claiming it infringed
their intellectual property rights and was unconstitutional.
However, the court rejected the argument by British American
Tobacco [JSE:BTI], Japan Tobacco International, Imperial Tobacco and Philip
Morris.
Australian Attorney General Nicola Roxon said Britain, Canada
and New Zealand were considering similar measures, and that China, South Africa
and the European Union had followed the case with interest.
Motsoaledi has said previously that if the Australian
government won the case, South Africa would follow suit.
* Follow
Fin24 on Facebook,
Twitter and Google+.