Warning pictures to appear on cigarette packaging

A picture of a woman coughing blood, a young man at a morgue and photographs of damaged eyes, teeth and extremities will now be depicted on tobacco packaging. In response to European legislation the Slovak Health Ministry submitted this proposal, adding to text based warning messages also warning pictures depicting the health effects of tobacco products. Using a combination of warnings is more efficient than simple text warnings, say ministry officials. Furthermore, warning messages are to receive more space on the packaging, taking up 65 percent of the box instead of current 30-40 percent. The amendment is expected to come into effect as of May 2016. The number of adult smokers has been decreasing in Slovakia, although the trend is quite opposite with children and teenagers. Smoking annually causes some 11,000 deaths in Slovakia and treatment of diseases linked to the vice requires financial resources to the tune of €165-232 million.