Flavoured cigarettes to be banned under EU legislation

Menthol and other flavoured cigarettes are to be banned and tight controls put on e-cigarettes under the toughest legislation yet to be introduced by EU states.

Two thirds of the surface packaging of all tobacco and cigarette packets will have to be covered with warnings and graphic pictures, and countries will be able to introduce plain packaging.

Health Minister James Reilly has already introduced plain packs in Ireland and dismissed the idea that such moves will increase cigarette smuggling.