Put That In Your Pipe And Smoke It!

Regulations on plain packaging and the effects on trade mark rights

The South African tobacco industry was quick to counter when reports surfaced that South Africa could possibly follow suit in implementing plain packaging legislation following Australia's plain packaging reforms targeted at its tobacco industry. This legislation typically requires cigarette and tobacco products to be sold in identical, prescribed packaging with graphic images of potential side effects of smoking and the brand name displayed in regulated font and size.

Tobacco and cigarette conglomerates may be used to being at the receiving end of censure from governments at this point. Many countries, including South Africa, have already banned most forms of advertising of these products to the public. However, this kind of legislation is considered a first in regulating the form in which the products are packaged and sold to the public.