Civil Liberties

Europe May Require Plain Packs for Cigarettes

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

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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.