Australia to Vote on Plain Cigarette Packages

Aussies will be crying crocodile tears over the tobacco industry's complaints that the new labels will hurt their bottom line.

Australia could become the first country in the world to force cigarettes to be sold in bland, branding-free packages covered in graphic health warnings. Prime Minister Julia Gillard's government is set to vote on a bill that's prompted a legal battle with the tobacco industry, which says it stands to lose boatloads of money if the new labelling legislation passes. Most developed countries already require warning labels on cigarette packages, but Canada, the U.K., and others have considered following Australia's lead in requiring uniform packages for the little cancer sticks.