The federal government has proposed a new legislation that if passed will require tobacco companies to sell their products in "plain, drab, dark brown" packages.

According to Health Minister Nicola Roxon the measure is designed to reduce the appeal of tobacco products especially for young people. The packets will be a "stark reminder" of the deaths from smoking.

"The bill will require that tobacco products be sold in plain, drab, dark-brown packets," she said.

Once enacted the plain packaging laws will make it an offence to sell, supply, purchase, package or manufacture tobacco products for retail other than plain packaging, Companies that go against the law will have to pay up to $1.1 million in fines. Individuals caught breaking the law will have to pay $220,000 in fines. First time offenders will have to pay $1000 for individuals and more than %6000 for companies. Ms. Roxon said that these plain-packaging laws are the world's toughest laws on tobacco prohibition.

Brand names will still be shown on the top, front and bottom of the packs to distinguish different tobacco companies. The brand names will still be in their standard colors and font size and style but the packaging will be a uniform brown. The color was chosen after research shows that it had the least appeal to smokers.

The mandated graphic warnings on the front of the packs will be increased to nearly 75 percent in size. Although tobacco companies are threatening domestic and international court challenges the law will still be enacted by the 20th of May 2012. Retailers will have to dispose of non-compliant products before that date.

''To assist small-scale importers and small business with compliance, imported tobacco products will be able to be repackaged after importation into Australia,'' said Ms. Roxon.