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Chinese Cigarette packets should have picture warnings

China must use graphic picture warnings and expand health messages on cigarette packs to alert more people to the dangers of smoking, according to health experts.

The country is scheduled to introduce new cigarette pack designs next year and a recent State Tobacco Monopoly Administration regulation requires written warnings to cover 30 percent of the pack.

At present the written messages are vague and inexplicit about the harm of smoking, and it is time to introduce hard-hitting images on cigarette packets.

Health lobbies are now trying to urge the tobacco administration to put picture warnings on cigarette packs.

Evidence from Canada, Brazil and elsewhere shows the images have a greater impact than written health warnings. At least 23 countries now use picture warnings, including images of diseased lungs, a dying smoker and a fetus. A dozen countries require the picture warnings to cover half the pack.

China has the largest number of smokers in the world.

Official statistics showed China had 300 million smokers in 2007, with an additional 540 million people forced to inhale passively.

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