Cuba has filed its first legal challenge with the World Trade Organization, joining the fight against Australia’s tough tobacco packaging laws, the Geneva-based trade body announced Monday.
Australia banned cigarette logos in December and started requiring packs to be plain olive green with graphic health warnings, Reuters reports. It was seen as a precedent for others considering a similar move, including the European Union, India, Norway, South Korea, New Zealand and Canada.
By filing the complaint, Cuba has triggered a 60-day window for Australia to try to resolve the problem in talks with the communist country. After that Cuba could ask the WTO to appoint a panel of adjudicators to judge its complaint, Reuters reports.
Similar complaints against the laws have been filed by Ukraine, Honduras and Dominican Republic, Reuters reports.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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