Australia is a world leader in the battle against smoking. The government there has announced plans to require cigarette manufacturers to remove all branding colors and logos from cigarette packs, beginning July, 2012.

The Australian government has also announced an immediate 25% hike in the cigarette tax, meaning that a pack of 30 cigarettes will now cost an extra tax of $2 AUD. Of all attempts to reduce smoking, higher taxation and a ban on advertising and promotion are two of the most effective strategies. Mandating plain packing should also be highly effective.