208. The representative of Canada said that her delegation followed with interest the on-going international developments regarding the plain packaging of tobacco products, and how such a measure interacted with both IP and public health. She said that Canada had adopted and implemented the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and encouraged other Members to consider doing so. Canada had been a pioneer in packaging requirements for tobacco products and her delegation recognized how challenging it was to introduce tobacco control measures that had never been implemented before. Canada had been in a similar situation a decade ago when it had introduced pictorial health warnings on tobacco packages. This measure had been put in place after extensive research had suggested that it was effective at increasing public awareness of health effects and hazards. It was her understanding that Australia had also conducted serious research to support the introduction of their new measure.
209. She said that the information Australia had provided, and its experience with plain packaging, would help WTO Members gain a better understanding of the complex issues at stake. She thanked Australia for updating the Council on the implementation of its plain packaging initiative, and its various implications, and was confident that Australia, in the elaboration of its Bill, had taken into account the importance of respecting international obligations.
