WEST GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA -Tobacco retailers in Australia mounted a campaign against the federal government's plain cigarette packaging policy, with many maintaining it would irreparably harm their business, Central Coast Express Advocate reports.

Within the next month, Australia's government will vote whether to compel cigarette manufacturers to package cigarettes in generic, plain packages, a measure it hopes will deter smoking.

However, Chittaway Bay tobacconist David Pagett said the bill would make managing stock difficult and time consuming, causing unnecessary confusion for staff while creating delays and inconvenience for customers.

A small business owner, Pagett said he would have to employ an additional staff member to assist with tobacco ordering, a cost he could ill afford.

"Ordering different brands now takes a lot of time and it will only get worse if the packages aren€™t easily identifiable," he said. "This is just the latest example of a policy that won€™t work but one that will hurt small businesses throughout Australia. Where will it end?"

Pagett echoed the views of many retailers, maintaining the government has not provided evidence that plain packaging would prevent people from smoking or taking up smoking.

"People are going to smoke no matter what type of packaging is used," he said. "It€™s the choice of all adults and this measure is totally counterproductive."

The Alliance of Australian Retailers said plain packaging would increase the sale of illegal tobacco, which currently represents 16 percent of all cigarettes consumed in Australia.