On 13 June 2017, Ministry of Health of the New Zealand Government announced the implementation of tobacco plain packaging in 2018. Various elements on tobacco packs, including colour, font type and font size are under the scope of such regime. 

The regulations have similar specifications as the Australian one. All brand elements should be removed. Brand names and variant names can only be displayed under standardized font size, font type and color in plain text only, which were all specified under the new legislation. Tobacco packets will be under the same color (Pantone 448C). A new set of 14 pictorial and textual warnings, which should cover at least 75% of front face and 90% of back face of cigarette pack, are introduced and must be rotated on a yearly basis. Besides, the quitline number and the website in New Zealand must be printed on tobacco packets.

The regulations will come into force on 14 March 2018, and apply to other types of tobacco products, including pipe tobacco, loose tobacco, cigars etc. 

The implementation of plain packaging in New Zealand reveals the effectiveness of such measures and it becomes a global trend. In Hong Kong, legislation of the 85% pictorial health warning was just passed this month. To strengthen tobacco control, the Government should formulate a plan to introduce plain packaging.

Chinese Association on Tobacco Control Copyright © 1992-2011
  906-907 Anhuidongli, Chaoyang District Beijing 100101

Tel: (8610)64983905  Fax: (8610)64983805     Email: apact2015@catcprc.org.cn