大象传媒

Tobacco companies and retailers that try to circumvent Australia's plain-packaging laws could face prosecution, according to health authorities.

They're investigating whether to take action against cardboard covers and stickers that hide graphic anti-smoking warnings.

One firm that produces labels says that sales have soared because consumers can't stand the sight of the packets they buy.

Just over a month ago, Australia banned all tobacco company logos and colours from packaging, which now has disturbing colour pictures of smokers suffering from tongue and lung cancer.

The president of the Australian Medical Association, Steve Hambleton, is confident that those who attempt to skirt the legislation will be shut down.

President of the Australian Medical Association, Steve Hambleton:
If you're trying to circumvent it, it's not right, and I know that the government will actually either fix the problem by changing the law or enforcing the law. But the second thing I thought was, this is obviously working. If companies are going out of their way to hide the warnings and to hide the labels, they know it's having an impact and that's reassuring for us.

Tobacco companies had argued that Australia's plain packaging measures would deprive them of copyright without proper compensation. But in August their case was dismissed by the High Courts.