Australian court cracks down on cigarette packaging

Cigarettes packs in Australia are about to get streamlined.

The country's high court ruled Wednesday that starting in December, all cigarettes will be sold in packages like this... plain olive green, with no branding or logos... just graphic health warnings.

The ruling is a blow to tobacco companies who claim the packaging laws are an infringement on their intellectual property rights.

Attorney General Nicola Roxon. (ROCK-sun)

(SOUNDBITE) (English) NICOLA ROXON, ATTORNEY-GENERAL SAYING:

"With the highest court in Australia having made clear that this is a step that the Australian people and the Australian parliament can take that it is time for the tobacco companies to get on with implementation and to stop trying to challenge this measure further in our international courts."

The laws are in line with World Health Organisation recommendations and are being watched closely by Britain, Norway, New Zealand, Canada and India, who are considering similar measures to help fight smoking.