Smokers will get an extra six months with shiny logo emblazoned cigarette packets, after the Federal Government postponed the implementation of its plain-packaging laws.
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Health Minister Nicola Roxon said today that the implementation would be take effect in December next year, rather than mid next year, because of delays getting the legislation through the Senate.
"The plain packaging legislation passed the House of Representatives in August 2011 but has yet to pass the Senate. Therefore the Government has revised the implementation timeframes to give industry enough time to make the changes required," Ms Roxon in a statement.
"While I do not agree with the tobacco companies on most things, I think that it is important that industry gets a reasonable timeframe to make an orderly transition to plain packaging.
"Marketing of tobacco will have a few last gasps next year, but this law will shortly stub it out for good.
The changes mean that it will become an offence to make "non-compliant product" from October 1 next year, rather than May 20 next year and "all tobacco products required to be sold in plain packaging from December 1 2012".
Opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton said the Government had accused the Coalition of frustrating the passage of the Bill when it had really delayed its own bill because it had other priorities.