The federal government has won its case against tobacco giant Philip Morris Asia challenging Australia's tobacco plain-packaging laws.The tribunal in the arbitration, based in Singapore, has issued a unanimous decision agreeing with Australia's position that it has no jurisdiction to hear Philip Morris's claim. Philip Morris has slammed the decision, saying it does not validate plain packaging in Australia or anywhere else. "It is regrettable that the outcome hinged entirely on a procedural issue that Australia chose to advocate instead of confronting head-on the merits of whether plain packaging is legal or even works," said Marc Firestone, Philip Morris's international senior vice-president. Fiona Nash (pictured), Minister for Rural Health, has welcomed the decision, saying plain packaging is a legitimate public health measure consistent with Australia's international obligations. "We welcome the unanimous decision by the tribunal agreeing with Australia's position that it has no jurisdiction to hear Philip Morris' claim," she said. "Smoking does untold harm to Australians, causing deaths from cancer, lung and heart disease, and hurting families.