Europe May Require Plain Packs for Cigarettes

Could join Australia in stopping just short of an outright ban on tobacco

The European Union is considering banning logos on cigarette packs as part of an upcoming review of its law to deter smoking, a spokesman said on Thursday, a day after Australia's highest court upheld a similar ban.

The Australian court dismissed a legal challenge to the government's ban, in a case filed by British American Tobacco , Britain's Imperial Tobacco, Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco.

The ruling means that starting in December, all cigarette packs sold in Australia will brandish plain olive packaging.