MEPs are today expected to give final approval to tough new anti-smoking laws - including massive health warnings on cigarette packets and the optional use of shock pictures such as rotting teeth and gums and scarred lungs.
By the end of September 2002 written health warnings will cover more than a third of every cigarette pack with guidelines from the European Commission by the end of 2002 on graphic pictures designed to scare smokers out of the habit.
After months of wrangling between governments and MEPs a vote in the Strasbourg Parliament will endorse health warnings covering 35 per cent of the front of every packet and 45 per cent of the back.
Cigarette descriptions such as low tar, mild and light will be banned from the end of September 2003.
And a new maximum tar content of 10 milligrams per cigarette - down from 12 milligrams - will apply from the start of 2004 along with EU ceilings of one milligrams for nicotine strength and 10 milligrams for carbon monoxide content.
PA