Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states will require graphic warnings on cigarette packs in five months, The Peninsula reported today.

Images like infected lungs will accompany written warnings and will be large enough to cover 30 per cent of the pack, the newspaper said in a story citing Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, under secretary at the Ministry of Environment in Qatar. An industry counter proposal for graphics covering 5 per cent of the pack was rejected, according to the newspaper based in Doha, the Qatari capital.
GCC states include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. GCC smokers consume 50 billion sticks annually, according to The Peninsula. (pi