EU approves new tobacco legislation
The new law strengthens rules on how tobacco products are manufactured, produced and presented in the EU, and introduces rules for certain tobacco-related products, Xinhua informs.
"Today is a great day for EU health policy. The Parliament's formal endorsement of the tobacco products directive is a testament to the political will to put the health of our citizens first," Tonio Borg, the European commissioner responsible for health, said in a statement following the vote.
Future cigarette packs will feature mandatory pictures and text health warnings covering 65 percent of the front and the back of cigarette packs.
50 percent of the sides of packs will also be covered with health warnings like "smoking kills -- quit now", "tobacco smoke contains over 70 substances known to cause cancer" etc., replacing the current printing of tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels.
Minimum dimensions for the health warnings will ensure visibility and slim. 'Lipstick'-style cigarette packs, which are often targeted to young women, will no longer be allowed.
