European Drive to Warn Off Smokers

European cigarette manufacturers are to face stiffer regulations on cigarette marketing following a new EU directive this week. From January 2004 misleading slogans such as 'light' and 'low tar' will have to be dropped, and at least 30% of the packet front and 40% of the back will have to be devoted to an approved health warning, including impotence. New limits will also be imposed on the maximum nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide content that can be inhaled from a cigarette. The Action on Smoking and Health campaign group welcomed the news but said that the changes were too slow in coming and were still insufficient.