Alcohol next in line for plain packaging

Scotch whisky could be dragged into a tit-for-tat trade war because of plans to introduce standardized packaging for cigarettes in Scotland and, possibly, the rest of the U.K., according to a story by David Maddox for The Scotsman, reflecting the fears of some MPs.

The Indonesian government has proposed forcing Australian wine to be sold in standardized packaging in retaliation for Australia introducing standardized packs for tobacco products in December 2012.

Indonesia is expected to impose the same restrictions on New Zealand when that country introduces standardized packs for tobacco products.

And Indonesia has called on other major tobacco-producing countries to follow its lead.

Legislation for standardized cigarette packaging in Scotland is due to be introduced to the Scottish parliament before the end of the current session.

And Prime Minister David Cameron has hinted strongly that a proposal for the introduction of such a measure in England will be included in the Queen’s Speech next month.

These proposals have led to speculation by MPs that whisky could be consigned to standardized packaging in some countries.

Indonesia was identified in 2012 by Paul Walsh, the chief executive of Diageo, among whose brands is Johnnie Walker, as one of the new target growth markets in Asia for Scotch whisky.