Packets of 10 cigarettes and menthol flavours banned under new EU rules

The legislation will consider effect in 2016 following what is anticipated to be a rubber stamp approval method by EU governments next month.

Professional-smoking groups have criticised a “nanny state mentality”, but cancer charities have backed the measures.

The new guidelines to be introduced across the European Union include:

• picture warnings should cover 65% of the front and back of every single packet of cigarettes, with added warnings on the best of the pack

• a ban on “lipstick-design” packs aimed at ladies – all packs have to have at least twenty cigarettes to leave space for overall health warnings

• roll-your-own tobacco packs to have comparable picture warnings

• a ban on promotional elements, this kind of saying “this solution is free of charge of additives” or is less dangerous than other brands

• a ban on flavoured cigarettes, such as menthol, fruit and vanilla

• a greatest nicotine-concentration degree for e-cigarettes.

• EU-broad monitoring of cigarettes to fight illegal trade

Ministers are expected to endorse the guidelines in March, to come into force in May possibly 2014. Member states will have two many years to introduce the legislation.

The European Commission says the new rules will “deter younger men and women from experimenting with, and turning into addicted to, tobacco” and must lead to a 2% drop in the sum smoked in excess of the up coming five years.

EU Wellness Commissioner Tonio Borg stated: “Nowadays is a wonderful day for EU health policy.

Today marks a genuine turning level for European tobacco handle ”

“The new rules will support to minimize the number of men and women who commence smoking in the EU.

“These measures place an finish to products which entice children and teens into commencing to smoke in the European Union.”

Nevertheless, the director of the pro-smoking campaign group Forest, Simon Clark said banning menthol cigarettes was a ban on client option that “will do little” to deter kids from smoking.

He also questioned the need to have for plain packaging legislation to take away any branding from packs, which is being deemed in some EU countries, including the United kingdom.

Packets of 10 cigarettes and menthol flavours banned under new EU rules