Will Plain Cigarette Packs in Australia Lead to Similar Food-Packaging Restrictions?

In the wake of an Australian High Court ruling validating regulations requiring
cigarettes to be sold in plain packages, some commentators are speculating
whether other products, such as alcoholic beverages and fast food, will be
subject to the same types of restrictions. The opinion, penned by Patrick
Carlyton, suggests that because alcoholism and obesity also purportedly
have deleterious effects, government may consider imposing taxing and
packaging rules on the other industries. While he questions whether these
types of restrictions actually affect consumption—“will plain packaging work
in reducing smoking rates? No one knows. It hasn’t been tried before”—he
concludes, “One thing is certain. Plain packaging for unhealthy foods in
supermarket aisles would certainly constitute a relief for every parent, and this
would have nothing to do with the health benefits.” See News Limited Network,
August 16, 2012.