UK follows Australia's lead on graphic visual warnings on tobacco packaging

From next years, graphic images illustrating the devastating effects that tobacco can have on health will be printed on all tobacco packets in the UK. The 15 images selected for use were chosen following a consultation in 2006, market research and a public vote. The move makes the UK the first country in the EU to introduce such visual warnings on all tobacco products aimed at raising awareness, helping smokers who want to quit and further reducing smoking related illnesses.

"Picture warnings are the next vital step in reducing the number of people who smoke. We are committed to continuing to drive down smoking rates in the UK as smoking remains the number one cause of ill health and early death,” said Alan Johnson, British Health Secretary.

He added that this measure, plus stark written warnings on cigarette packs, the recent introduction of the smoke-free law and the British government's plans to raise the legal age of sale for tobacco products will potentially save thousands of lives and “others will be spared the misery of watching family and friends die prematurely from smoke related illnesses."

"Picture warnings on tobacco packs will help promote better awareness of the damage that smoking does to lives and families, an essential step towards reducing the number of people who start smoking,” said Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson.

Elspeth Lee, senior tobacco control manager at Cancer Research UK, said:

"We hope this is a step towards the plain, generic packing of all tobacco products. International evidence shows that graphic picture warnings lead to greater awareness of the risks associated with smoking and help encourage people to cut down or quit altogether."

During the consultation, for each message there was a choice of three pictures. The public and stakeholders were asked to register their view of the most effective warnings.

This announcement comes out of a commitment in the Choosing Health White Paper to introduce picture warnings on cigarette packs. The bank of images was developed by the European Commission in line with the 2001 Labelling Directive. This allowed member states to choose which images should be used and when they should be introduced.