Australia Dampens Cigarette Packaging, Offers Graphic Warnings - East Idaho News
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Australia Dampens Cigarette Packaging, Offers Graphic Warnings

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Getty 113012 PackCigarettes?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1354309506095Hemera/Thinkstock(CANBERRA, Australia) — A new law in Australia mandates that all cigarettes now be sold in plain packs, a change the government estimates will drop smoking rates in the country by one-third within six years.

The packs now come in a single shade of olive and feature health warnings and graphic images of potentially harmful effects.

“We’re going to keep pushing down the rates of smokers. If we can prevent young people from taking it up, that’s a lifetime gift to them,” said Australian Health Minister Tanya Pilbersek.

Currently, around 17 percent of Australia’s population smoke, compared with around 20 percent of American adults.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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