MEPs pass new rules on sale of tobacco

New rules to take some of the glamour out of smoking were passed by the European Parliament, but the industry’s massive lobbying campaign won important concessions.

MEPs voted to ban attractive cigarette and perfume type packs and have at least 65% of all packets covered in warnings, an increase on the current 30%-40%.

Packs of fewer than 20 cigarettes would be banned but a proposal to make the minimum size of roll-our- own tobacco 40g was defeated following an amendment from Irish MEPs.