Shock images to make smokers quit

Controversial images of diseased lungs which health advisers want to see on every cigarette packet were revealed today.

The Department of Health will now carry out research into which of the 42 images would have the most powerful effect on smokers.

The images include:

The idea came from Canada where cigarette packets have carried pictures to highlight the health risks of smoking since 2000. Research among Canadian smokers showed 44 per cent felt the pictures had been more effective than simple written warnings in increasing their motivation to quit.

Each EU member state will decide for itself whether to use the pictures. However, the European Commission expects a number of countries to introduce picture warnings next year. David Byrne, European Commissioner for health and consumer protection, unveiled the pictures in Brussels today. He said: "People need to be shocked out of their complacency about tobacco. I make no apology for some of the pictures we are using.

"The true face of smoking is disease, death and horror - not the glamour and sophistication the pushers in the tobacco industry try to portray. The EU must hammer home this message to young people."

A spokesman said the Department of Health is waiting for final approval of the pictures from the EU next year, and there will be a consultation exercise to establish whether they should be used in Britain. Chris Davies, leader of the British Liberal Democrat MEPs, said: "A picture paints 1,000 words. These images will evoke fear and disgust, but the evidence from Canada suggests that they will also make a difference.

"We have to break the impression among too many teenagers that smoking is cool and sexy."

The NHS spends an estimated ?1.5billion a year treating people with smoking-related diseases.