Australia is the first country in the world to pass such a strict packaging law hat bans logos and forces tobacco companies to remove their distinctive colors and logos and print their brand names and logo in a tiny font on drab. British American Tobacco launched legal action against the Australian government on this strict law. BAT argues that the ban is invalid. The legislation, which takes effect on Dec. 1, 2012. Tobacco companies are already banned from advertising on Australian billboards and in the country's magazines.