Byrne adds shock images to anti-smoking crusade

Date: 11/09/03

DAVID Byrne has added another weapon to his anti-smoking arsenal - graphic illustrations on cigarette packs intended to shock smokers into realizing how deadly their habit could prove to be.

"We have to find new and innovative ways to illustrate the shocking truth that half of all smokers will be killed by their habit," the European Union's health commissioner, who has made combating smoking one of his top priorities, said.

As of 1 October 2003, member states must print mandatory verbal health warnings on cigarette packets taking up at least 30% of the front of the pack and 40% of the reverse side.

In addition, as of 1 October 2004 member states will be able to pick pictures from an EU database of images, although the pictorial warnings will not be compulsory.

"This is not necessarily a measure which will help the determined smoker to stop smoking.

"The main focus is to stop people smoking in the first place," one Commission spokesman said.

Fourteen EU-wide warnings will be made available, and may include photos of diseased lungs or pregnant women lighting up.

Pictorial warnings available on cigarette packets in Canada have been deemed a success by that country's government.

EU member states can also decide if they want to provide a 'quitline' number with the pictures, which smokers can call for support in kicking the habit.

The European Commission is to build up a set of pictures portraying the harmful effects of smoking which will be used on cigarette packets from October 2004.