“The Australian federal government secured a huge win over big tobacco companies today when the High Court ruled that the Labour Government’s world-first plain packaging laws are constitutionally valid. The Cancer Society couldn’t be more pleased. “This bodes well for a similar ruling in New Zealand, when the time comes,” said Skye Kimura, Tobacco Control Advisor for the Cancer Society.

“With tobacco products now out of site and the consultation on plain packaging underway, this is good news and a positive move in our goal to protect our children and for a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025.”

As a result of the government’s ruling large graphic health warnings will dominate the packs and the manufacturers' brand names will be written in a small generic font. Health experts have hailed the decision as a "massive win" for global health.

Although the court handed down its decision today the reasons for the judgment won't be revealed until later in the year.

“It is great to see the Australian Government standing firm against the tobacco industry and standing up for the best public health interests of Australians.”