Warning messages on cigarette packs will be made mandatory in Russia for the first time from Saturday to enhance awareness on smoking-related diseases.

Under the new regulations, which are part of Russia's anti-smoking campaign, tobacco companies are obliged to print warning messages in a black frame covering no less than 30 per cent of the front and 50 per cent of the back. There will be 13 cautionary statements such as "Smoking kills", "Smoking causes heart attacks and strokes", "Smoking can lead to male impotency" and "Keep children away from tobacco smoke". 
The new regulation also requires cigarette producers to show on the packs the amount of nicotine and resin contained in the cigarettes.
Russia joined the World Health Organisation's anti-smoking convention in 2008, which requires gradual implementation of measures such as bans on smoking in public places and tobacco advertising. So far, cigarette packs included only a small warning on the front that says "Smoking damages your health" and which must cover only four per cent of the area.
Tobacco companies will be allowed to sell the previously produced cigarette packs containing no warnings until next year. (pi)