A hard-hitting law change to stamp out the tobacco industry's last avenue of marketing is likely to get wide support when it comes to Parliament.
The Smokefree Environments (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Amendment Bill could get its first reading today and is expected to be backed by all parties except New Zealand First and the Act Party.
On the eve of the debate, United States business groups fired a warning shot at the New Zealand Government, urging it to halt the "unwise" legislation because it trampled on company's trademarks.
The Government expected to have to defend its plain packaging regime in court, and Prime Minister John Key said yesterday it would wait until Australia resolved its legal challenges before passing the legislation.
This could mean a significant delay. Experts said a World Trade Organisation (WTO) challenge against Australia by tobacco-producing countries was moving more slowly than usual. Once a WTO hearing panel was decided on, the case could take between 12 and 18 months.