1/11—A WTO appeal has upheld a first-stage “panel” ruling that Australia was fully within its rights to require tobacco products to be sold in uniform plain packaging, with no distinct branding.
The decision will be welcomed by health activists.
wto.org/english/news_e…
Next: adoption by the membership
Not a bad way to say farewell.
The Appellate Body has no quorum—only one judge since Dec 20. It was allowed to complete work on a handful of reports that were dearly done. This is the last.
Uniform dull packaging, large warning, brandnames in uniform typeface, no logos
Details: health.gov.au/health-topics/…
Resources: health.gov.au/resources/coll…
Guide and images: health.gov.au/sites/default/…
DS434 was brought by Ukraine, puzzling most observers. Ukraine does not export tobacco products to Australia.
Ukraine let the case lapse before panellists were appointed for the first-stage dispute hearings
wto.org/english/tratop…
Report: docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
Summary of key findings: wto.org/english/tratop…
DS458: brought by Cuba wto.org/english/tratop…
DS467: brought by Indonesia wto.org/english/tratop…
DS435 brought by Honduras wto.org/english/tratop…
DS441 brought by Dominican Rep wto.org/english/tratop…
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S….
Finally, here’s a fun summary from Jon Oliver from three years ago:
tobaccofreekids.org/assets/global/…