NEW ZEALAND
New regulations which will bring into force tobacco standardized packaging from March 14, 2018 has been approved by the government.
Under the new law, tobacco packs will have the same standard dark brown-green background color as Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, and France. Pictures and health warnings will be enlarged to cover at least 75% of the front of tobacco packs, and all tobacco company marketing imagery will be removed.
Manufacturers will be allowed to print a brand name and variant on their tobacco products, but the regulations will standardize how these look, where they must be on the pack, and what type face, font size, and color must be used. Cigarettes will only be sold in standard cardboard packs of either 20 or 25 sticks. Loose tobacco will be sold in pouches of 30 or 50 grams in standard rectangular soft plastic pouches.
The new regulations allow six weeks for old stock to be distributed and a further six weeks for that old stock to be sold, meaning that after 6 June 2018 only standardized packs will be able to be sold.