The federal government wants all cigarette packaging to be olive green, because research shows that is the least attractive colour for smokers, the health minister says.
Under proposed legislation aimed at reducing smoking rates in Australia, all logos will be removed from cigarette packaging, and tobacco companies will be required to print their brand name in a specific font.
If the legislation is passed, health warnings and graphic pictures depicting the dangers of smoking will take up 90 per cent of the front of packs, and 75 per cent of the back, Health Minister Nicola Roxon told ABC's Late line program on Wednesday.
Draft legislation and a mock-up of the proposed packaging will be released on Thursday.
"We've done a lot of research to ensure that we make the cigarette packs as unattractive as possible...," Ms Roxon said.
"Apparently dark olive is the least attractive colour for any smokers and in particular for young people."
Ms Roxon said she hoped the move would stop new people from being attracted to smoking.
"This is about taking away the last opportunity that tobacco companies have in Australia, to try to market their products by making them look luxurious, or pretending that they might be light and better for your health.
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