Thousands of tobacconists registered their opposition to stiffer tobacco regulation in a 22 Jan march on the European Union’s seat of government in Brussels.

Police estimate 2,200 marchers took part while organizers put the number at 3,500, according to Agence France Press. Among the EU proposals are graphic warnings to cover most of a cigarette pack, a ban on characterizing flavours and controls on cross-border sales of tobacco products. The proposals would reduce the variety of tobacco products currently on offer by, for example, prohibiting packs with fewer than 20 cigaretttes, current versions of products such as electronic cigarettes and mentholated cigarettes.
Those proposals from the European Commission require approval by member states and the European Parliament, a process expected to take several years. (pi)