UK reveals plain pack thinking

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

UK reveals plain pack thinking

The UK government has taken a step closer to introducing a plain packaging regime for cigarettes by launching a consultation on standardised tobacco packaging

The consultation document was published yesterday by the Department of Health. It suggests that standardised packaging could consist of no branding, a uniform colour, or standard font and text for any writing on the pack.

But the government confirmed that tobacco packs would not actually be plain. Instead, they would be required to have coloured picture warnings and brand names would still appear in a standardised form.

The move comes as tobacco companies fight the Australian government in the courts after the country’s parliament voted to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products from the end of 2012. They are arguing that the government has illegally appropriated their IP rights.

Australia is also facing a challenge at the WTO after Ukraine filed a complaint against it last month under the TRIPs Agreement.

The UK government said yesterday it has an “open mind” about introducing standardised packaging.

“Through the consultation, we want to understand whether there is evidence to demonstrate that the standardised packaging of tobacco products would have an additional public health benefit, over and above existing tobacco control initiatives. We also wish to understand what other effects there may be should standardised tobacco packaging be introduced.”

The consultation document does not specifically address issues relating to trade marks, but it does ask for comments about the likely impact of plain packaging on trade and competition.

The consultation is open until July 10.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Paul Hastings and Smart & Biggar also won multiple awards, while Baker McKenzie picked up a significant prize
Burford Capital study finds that in-house lawyers have become more likely to monetise patents, but that their IP portfolios are still underutilised
Robert Reading and Faidon Zisis at Clarivate unpick some of the data surrounding music-related trademarks
China's latest IP litigation statistics and a high-profile hire by O'Melveny were also among the top talking points this week
David Aylen, who spent more than 20 years at Gowling WLG, has joined United Trademark and Patent Services as of counsel in the UAE
Europe is among the most lucrative legal markets for PE firms to bet on, but clients’ reactions will decide whether external investment drives success
Rulings of note covered pre-June 2023 infringements and jurisdiction over non-UPC states, while winners of Managing IP’s EMEA Awards acted in multiple cases
Jason Blair, a former special marks examiner, said Dykema’s Texas presence will help him build deeper connections with clients
Lee Curtis and Rachel Platts at HGF discuss the rise of the ‘intention economy’ and its impact on trademark law
Martin Wintermeier discusses taking a hit for clients, not letting stress get to you, and why being a criminal defence lawyer might have been fun
Gift this article