Despite having some of the most progressive anti-smoking legislation in the world, the South African government says it would consider the possibility of further restrictions, including generic unbranded cigarette packaging.

Asked by News24 whether South Africa would follow Australia in its bid to see all branding removed from cigarette packaging, the Department of Health responded: "The South African government, mainly the Department of Health, will still consider any effective measure which…

Massachusetts is poised to become the first state in the nation to force retailers to prominently display graphic warnings about the perils of smoking right where cigarettes are sold - at tobacco sales racks and next to cash registers.

Images of ominously darkened lungs, damaged brains, and diseased teeth could start appearing before the end of the year in more than 9,000 convenience stores, pharmacies, and gas stations, if a proposal by the state Department of Public Health is approved as…

In response to last week's plans by the government to restrict cigarette packaging to plain and standardised designs, the cigarette industry has warned that it will protect its intellectual property rights and claim compensation from the government. I saw a figure of $3 billion as a possible amount for that compensation. The government has denied that compensation would be needed. So who has the better case?

In my view, the government has the stronger position. No one is disputing that the…