MEPs vote to consider measures that will help cut youth smoking rates

Euro MPs, including eight representatives from the North West, have voted to consider important changes to smoking laws designed to stop young people taking up smoking.

Proposed changes include graphic warnings on 65% of the packets, banning flavourings and controlling advertising of e-cigarettes. Packs of 10 cigarettes will also be banned.

However, concerns have been raised as several opportunities have been missed. Slim cigarettes will still be available, and menthol flavouring will still be available for five years. Although the graphic warnings will increase in size, the original plan was for 75% coverage to increase impact.

Tobacco Free Futures Chief Executive Andrea Crossfield said: "We welcome some important decisions by MEPs including banning packs of 10 cigarettes, flavoured tobacco and lipstick shaped packs, which we know appeal to young people and contributes to the estimated 18,000 children in the North West who start smoking every year."

"However, we are disappointed that slim cigarettes will still be available, menthol flavouring will remain for now, and although we welcome bigger graphic health warnings as a start, we won't be happy until we have standardised packaging and children won't be subjected to tobacco industry marketing".

There will now be negotiations between the European Parliament and the EU member states to decide on the final laws.

North West MEPs who are responsible for voting on the amendments include the Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Atkins, Arlene McCarthy, Paul Nuttall, Chris Davies, Sajjad Karim, Brian Simpson, Jacqueline Foster and Nick Griffin.