graphic warnings

Spain to have pictorial warnings in May 2011

Spain will require pictorial warnings on all cigarette packaging as of May, 2011.

The warning sizes will cover about 43 percent of the front of cigarette packages, and about 53 per cent of the back, which include a black border.

Following this move, Spain will become the seventh EU country to require pictorial warnings – Belgium being the first in 2006, followed by Romania and the UK in 2008, Latvia in 2010, and France and Malta in 2011.

Switzerland, Norway and Turkey (non-EU countries) also require pictorial warnings based on the European Commission’s library of 42 images.

Globally, at least 39 countries/jurisdictions require pictorial warnings.

France: Congressman Yves Bur will propose a draft legislation for plain cigarette packs

The announcement by Congressman Yves Bur that he would propose a draft legislation imposing standardized generic packaging for tobacco products, like in Australia has the tobacco control advocates happy, the Health Minister reserved, the tobacco industry  protesting copyright rights under attack and an increased risk of smuggling, tobacconists claiming they would not be able to distinguish between brands :)

Lots of coverage for what is still a draft proposal.