New Zealand plans logo-free cigarette packs

Wellington, Feb 19 (AP) New Zealand's government wants to get even tougher against smoking by making tobacco companies remove their logos from cigarette packs. The country already has become one of the strictest anti-smoking countries by increasing taxes and making retailers hide packs below the counter. The new plain-packaging legislation would be similar to an Australian law that took effect in December. But Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia says New Zealand will wait until a trade challenge in Australia plays out before introducing the new law. That would be next year at the earliest. Tobacco companies oppose packaging changes but lost a legal challenge in Australia's highest court last year. Some tobacco-growing countries have mounted another challenge through the World Trade Organization. (AP) AAH 02190735 NNNN