European Union vs tobacco

The European Union moved further towards a major clampdown on tobacco today, with member states backing plans for bigger and bolder health warnings on cigarette packs and bans on most flavorings.

Friday's plan by the member states now goes to the European Parliament for further negotiation and could result in even tougher curbs on the use of tobacco being sought.

Under the proposals, mandatory warnings on packages would take 65 percent of tobacco packaging and be more prominent, with the inclusion of graphic pictorials.

Irish Health Minister James Reilly, from the Irish Presidency, said the plan was an important step that would help prevent the next generation from becoming addicted to smoking.

And whatever the overall EU regulations become, individual member states will be allowed to impose even tougher rules as they please.

The European Commission says 28 percent of the EU's 500 (m) million citizens still smoke.

The EU has said that treating smoking-related diseases cost about 25 (b) billion euro (33 (b) billion US dollars) a year.

Tobacco companies increasingly rely on their packaging to build brand loyalty and grab consumers since it is one of the few advertising levers left to them after authorities have curbed their presence in magazines and on billboards and TV.