A ban on menthol cigarettes, which pose the same health risks as the traditional type, is on the way under a new EU crackdown.
The menthol cigarettes, which are flavoured with a substance found in mint oil, are due to be banned within the next three-and-a-half years.
And "slim" cigarettes, which are marketed to appeal to female smokers, will be subject to new restrictions.
The clampdown is part of major moves to stop young people in particular from taking up the smoking habit.
The proposals in the Tobacco Directive were announced in Luxembourg at a meeting of EU Health Ministers chaired by Dr James Reilly.
The European Council said it would prohibit "the use of cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco with characterising flavours, such as fruit, chocolate or menthol, which create additives that increase addictiveness and toxicity".
Source: Peter Flanagan and Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent, 22/06/2013
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