Ten-pack cigarettes will be banned from Friday after an EU directive comes into force this week while packaging will be forced to become bland and standardised.

Companies will have until May 20, 2017 to ensure the changes are fully implemented after the EU Tobacco Products Directive was passed in May 2015 which also means packaging must be standardised, with packs having the same colour, opening and font.

The new law also means menthol and flavoured tobacco will be banned from 2020 onwards. Despite attempts by the tobacco companies to reverse the ruling, the European Court of Justice judged that the directive was “lawful”.

From Friday onwards, packaging must also have 60 per cent of the packaging on show covered by images and text demonstrating the damage that smoking does to your health.

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There has never been a better time to quit smoking.

For more details on NHS Stop Smoking Services (including the new online help) in Warwickshire go to www.quit4good.co.uk or phone 0800 085 2917.