31 May 2011 - World No Tobacco Day. Australia introducing the first plain cigarette packaging law to reduce use of tobacco

On 31st May World Health Organization will celebrate the World No Tobacco Day, to raise awareness on the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocating for effective policies to reduce consumption. Tobacco use is the second cause of death globally (after hypertension) and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults worldwide. This event was created in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and its lethal effects. It provides an opportunity to highlight specific tobacco control messages and to promote adherence to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Australia is playing a leading role in adopting new laws to prevent the use of tobacco. Starting July 1, 2012, a new law enforcing plain cigarette packaging will presumably discourage smokers.
Cigarette companies will be force to use plain, logo-free packaging on their cigarettes. there will be dire health warnings for smokers, and the brand name itself will be in a tiny, generic font at the bottom of the pack.
Similar legal measures are also under discussion in the European Union, Canada and New Zealand. Tobacco companies complain that such legislation will prejudice the ability of a consumer to identify one brand from another and contest that such measures would infringe international trademark and intellectual property laws. Furthermore, according to British American Tobacco, this law will fuel the black market and make it easier for smugglers to produce fake products.