420. The representative of China said that the Australian bill had the legitimate objective to protect human health by introducing plain packaging of tobacco products with the aim of reducing the appeal to consumers and increase the effectiveness of health warnings. A second bill provided some assurance for the effect of trademarks or industrial designs, stipulating that use of a trademark or industrial design could be prevented on tobacco products on the condition that such use could be specified. In the context of the debate on the compatibility with the TRIPS Agreement, China believed that Members should have the right to take measures to protect public health, and that such measures should not contravene the TRIPS obligation. His delegation would continue to follow the development of this issue.
