The European Parliament (EP) public health committee approved the agreement on revising the Tobacco Products Directive reached in December, setting up a vote by the full legislature by mid March, the panel said.

Cigarette packs would bear graphic warnings on 65 per cent of the front and back surfaces, to be placed at the top of the package. The proposal also includes bans on packs of less than 20 sticks and characterising flavours such as menthol in cigarettes. E-cigarettes sold as tobacco products would be limited to 20 mg/ml nicotine content.
Voting 49 to 7 in favour of the compromise, the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee said the legislation should go before the full Parliament during the 24-27 Feb or 10-13 March plenary sessions.