Cigarette packets get scary
New cigarette packs will carry graphic images and text outlining the dangers of smoking in Switzerland as of January 1.
The government decided the measure last April as part of the fight against tobacco use. Packs have already carried large written warnings for some time.
Three series of pictures will be used for the next two years according to the Federal Health Office. The aim is to convince young people not to take up smoking and smokers to give up their habit.
The tobacco industry has two years to implement the measure, which is already in use in some European Union states.
The Belgian, Romanian and British authorities have introduced the scary pictures, while India, Canada, Brazil, Australia and Chile are among the 15 countries worldwide using this prevention method.
Smoking bans are still being discussed in Switzerland and only a few cantons have taken the bull by the horns so far.
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.