Smokers get gory incentive to quit

In an attempt to cut tobacco addiction, smokers are to receive graphic warnings of the dangers of cigarettes on the front of packets.

The Department of Health hopes the warnings, which incorporate text and disturbing images, will follow success in other nations such as Canada where research showed a third of quitters in 2001 were motivated by the pictures.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "I welcome the introduction of picture warnings on tobacco product packaging, which show smokers the grim reality of the effects smoking can have on their health.

"Written health warnings have encouraged many smokers to stop smoking. These new stark picture warnings emphasise the harsh health realities of continuing to smoke. I hope they will make many more think hard about giving up, and get the help they need to stop smoking for good."

But students seem unmoved by the new warnings, many of whom are aware of the health risks and regard smoking as a lifestyle choice.

Napier University student Nicola Crombie, 28, said: “I don’t think it would stop me. I’ve bought cigarettes abroad with quite graphic images on them and I’m aware of the risks and I know what it does to your lungs. The pictures are quite grotesque but I suppose you just blank them out.”

Smoking kills over 120,000 people in the UK each year. It can cause lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease, thyroid disease, liver cancer, infertility and cancers of the mouth and throat.