The National Heart Foundation of Australia today welcomed the High Court’s decision to dismiss an appeal by four tobacco companies against plain packaging laws for tobacco products.

The laws passed Parliament late last year with a December 2012 commencement date.

Dr Lyn Roberts, National CEO of the Heart Foundation, said the decision was a significant milestone in the global fight against the carnage caused by smoking.

“Australia has been a world leader in reducing smoking rates with this innovative legislation – and this win today is a signal across the world that we are on the right track,” Dr Roberts said.

“Many nations, including the UK, New Zealand and India, have been watching this case closely, and many will now seek to implement their own legislation. The win will be most keenly felt in developing countries where smoking rates are especially concerning.

“If you smoke, you are at least twice as likely to have a heart attack and three times as likely to have a stroke.

“In recent years Australia has increased taxes on tobacco and significantly reduced the duty free allowance. Meanwhile, the tobacco industry has opposed every major tobacco control measure designed to save lives and prevent diseases like heart attack, stroke and cancer.

“The industry threw everything at this measure because it knew it would be effective, but the government and health groups have today been vindicated in their fight against smoking.

“On this day, we should remember that the tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced. It kills nearly six million people a year. Approximately one person dies every six seconds due to tobacco and this accounts for one in 10 adult deaths.

“Up to half of current users will eventually die of a tobacco-related disease. Nearly 80% of the more than one billion smokers worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of tobacco-related illness and death is highest.

“These figures demonstrate the significant global contribution Attorney General (and former Health Minister) Nicola Roxon has made in pursuing these laws against considerable pressure from industry.

“We warmly congratulate her on today’s success, and look forward to supporting further measures to reduce Australia’s smoking rates,” Dr Roberts said.

For more information and tips about quitting smoking and being a healthy weight, visit heartfoundation.org.au or call 1300 36 27 87 to speak to our team of qualified health professionals.

Heart Foundation