KEY POINTS:
The gruesome pictures adorning cigarette packets have proven almost impossible for smokers to ignore, a survey shows.
The images, introduced in February and compulsory from today, show smokers graphic reminders of health problems related to smoking.
The UMR Research survey, commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health, showed just 4 per cent of smokers had not noticed the images.
Smokers were asked how often they had noticed the warning labels on cigarette and tobacco packets in the past month. Some 79 per cent of respondents noticed them "very often" or "often".
And a new set of images are soon to confront the public.
Initially just seven pictures were unveiled, but from February a further seven will be released.
The previous text-only warnings were introduced on January 1, 2000. They included the warnings "smoking kills" and "smoking is addictive".
ASH director Ben Youdan said the warnings provided a "stark and uncomfortable reminder" of the dangers of smoking. "Pack warnings are a vital influence on quit attempts."
The images cover 30 per cent of the pack's front and 90 per cent of the back.
BLUNT WORDS
* Warnings to be introduced next February:
* Smoking can make you impotent.
* Smoking is highly addictive.
* Smoking causes foul and offensive breath.
* Your smoking can harm your kids.
* Smoking causes serious lung diseases.
* Smoking more than doubles your risk of stroke.
* Smoking blocks your arteries.
