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WTO to rule on landmark tobacco case later on Thursday

A lit cigarette burns in Sydney, Australia, May 11, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Reed By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - Ultra-plain packaging for tobacco products might become the norm worldwide if a World Trade Organization panel rules in favor of Australia on Thursday in what is seen as a test case for public health legislation globally. The WTO said the adjudication panel's ruling in the dispute over Australia's "plain packaging" rules, brought in 2012-2013 by Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Indonesia, would be published at around 1500 GMT. A WTO ruling that upholds Australia's position would be a blow to the tobacco industry as it would effectively give a green light for other countries ... [Read more]

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