A federal rule requiring large graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging and advertising may violate the free speech rights of tobacco companies, a U.S. district court judge said at a hearing on Wednesday.

In a case that could wind up before the Supreme Court, five cigarette makers are suing to overturn a Food and Drug Administration rule requiring companies to label tobacco products with images of rotting teeth, diseased lungs and other images intended to illustrate the dangers of…

Madagascar has become the third country in Africa and at least the 46^th country/jurisdiction in the world to require picture-based health warnings for packages of cigarettes.

In Madagascar, on Sept. 30, 2011, Interministerial Decision Nº 28.540/2011 was approved to require picture health warnings to appear on packages of cigarettes and some other tobacco products.  For cigarettes and some other tobacco products, warnings will be required to cover 65% of the front and back of the package, with…

Brunei is currently reviewing the pictorial health warnings in use, and is considering amending the size of the health warnings to be carried on tobacco product packagings, the deputy permanent secretary (Professional and Technical) at the Ministry of Health said in her key note address yesterday.

Addressing the participants of the workshop on Plain Packaging of Tobacco Products, Dr Hjh Norlila Dato Paduka Hj Abdul Jalil said that tobacco control in Brunei has been identified as one of the top…

NGOs have claimed that recent reports suggesting that one of the pictorial warnings for tobacco products resembles footballer John Terry could be an attempt by the manufacturers to scuttle the pictorial warnings once again.

In a recent RTI filed by the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), the issue was brought to the notice of Union health ministry earlier in November by Philip Morris, manufacturer of the leading cigarette brand Marlboro. "However, digging the issue once again now…

Japan Tobacco is to launch redesigned versions of seven of its popular Pianissimo brand of cigarettes in mid-January.

Pianissimo is the top-selling brand in Japan's 100mm slim menthol category and has proven particularly popular among female smokers for what Japan's largest tobacco company says is a "smooth, unassertive and refreshing menthol flavour and aroma."
 
Smoking rates are declining in Japan, although they remain higher for both men and women than in Europe and North America.
 
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KT&G Corp., Korea's largest tobacco producer, plans to release a new version of its popular Esse brand on Wednesday to cater to growing demand for premium, ultraslim cigarettes.

The Esse Sense, the latest in the 17-model lineup, is designed to give a refreshing taste with its space at the tip of the filter to screen out tar and nicotine, the company said Monday.

Since its 2002 launch, the Esse has rapidly penetrated markets overseas to become the world's top seller in the segment as…

Plans to introduce graphic photographs on tobacco products highlighting the dangers of smoking have been approved.

Minister for Health Dr James Reilly today signed regulations which will force tobacco firms to include such images on their products from February 1st 2013.

Packaging currently carries text warnings only, but the images to be included in future aim to provide a further deterrent to tobacco consumption.

"We should never lose sight of the health consequences of smoking which…

Philip Morris on Tuesday became the third tobacco giant to file a legal challenge against new Australian laws that will force tobacco products to be sold in dull, plain packaging from late next year.

The tough, world-first legislation cleared by parliament is being closely watched by governments considering similar moves in Europe, Canada and New Zealand. It has angered tobacco companies worried it may set a global precedent and infringe on trademark rights.

Under the laws, cigarettes, pipe…

Britain is to delay its consultation on plain packaging of tobacco products until the spring of 2012 as it considers a series of issues after Australia prepares to be the first nation to introduce such legislation by end-2012.

British Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the government will kick off the process with an invitation for those parties with an interest to respond early next year, but it will need to take many relevant factors into account.

"In view of these requirements, the…