The European Union is looking to add restrictions to cigarette packaging, ending "attractive" branding efforts and expanding the area of packages covered by visual and written warnings to 75% of the front and back (December 18). Currently, the warnings extend to only 30% on one side and 40% on the other side.
The ban, which also calls for an end to flavors like menthol and vanilla, which revises an EU tobacco directive of 2001, would become law in 2014.
"Tobacco products should look and taste like tobacco products," said EU commish Tonio Borg in a presser.
"Cigarette packages should respect certain dimensions to guarantee the full visibility of the pictures. Again I want to be very clear: a tobacco product should look like a tobacco product and not like a cosmetic or candy. My aim here is that people can take an informed decision when they look at a pack of cigarettes by getting the clear message that the product they buy harms their health," he added.
According to the WHO, Europe has the highest proportion of smokers of any region across the globe.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.