Smoking scare campaign gets graphic

First there were the mild health warnings, then overt scare messages. Now, the European Commission is hoping graphic pictures will frighten smokers into quitting.

The EC will suggest tomorrow that EU governments require cigarette makers to display photos on their products illustrating commonly seen written warnings, like ”smoking kills” or “smoking can lead to a slow and painful death”.

Three pictures will be released by the EU, and all are as graphic as those used in Canada, where photos on packs of cigarettes show badly stained teeth or a damaged brain, said EU health spokeswoman Beate Gminder.

EU member states currently use 14 written health warnings, which must cover at least a third of the packaging.

Tobacco is the single largest cause of avoidable death in the 25-nation EU. It accounts for more than 500,000 deaths a year, according to EU figures.

It is estimated that 25% of all cancer deaths and 15% of all deaths in the EU are attributable to smoking.