Rotting teeth photos added to cigarette packs

By Tim Castle

LONDON (Reuters) - Gruesome pictures of rotting teeth and throat cancer tumours will appear on all tobacco products in Britain from next month as the government steps up its campaign to encourage the country's 10 million smokers to quit.

The images will be printed on the back of cigarette packs to illustrate written health warnings introduced in 2003, the Department of Health said on Saturday.

The photos also include a flaccid cigarette to depict male impotence and a comparison of healthy and tar-filled lungs.

Smoking is Britain's single killer, causing the premature death each year of 87,000 people in England alone.

"These new stark picture warnings emphasise the harsh realities of continuing to smoke," said Liam Donaldson, the government's chief medical officer.

Anti-smoking charity ASH welcomed the move, which follows similar campaigns around the world.

"Sadly, smoking is so addictive that even with these grotesque warnings it won't be enough to stop everybody smoking overnight," said ASH Research Director Amanda Sandford.

"But for those who are motivated to quit it could be the final step they need."