Graphic images are to be put on cigarette packs under new regulations to be unveiled by the Government.

Manufacturers will be forced to use the images on packs from late next year.

A series of 15 images have been chosen following market research, public consultation and a vote on the most effective warnings on the dangers of smoking.

Cigarette packs with written warnings only, will not be allowed on sale past September 30 next year. For other tobacco packs, the deadline is September 30 2009.

A total of 42 images have been on the website www.packwarnings.nhs.uk for the public to vote on.

They included people wearing oxygen masks in hospital with the words "Smoking causes fatal lung cancer" and pictures of a foetus with the words "Smoking harms your baby".

One image shows a patient receiving emergency treatment with the headline "Smoking clogs the arteries and causes heart attacks and strokes".

A 2001 EU directive stated that the health warnings should cover 30 per cent of the front and 40 per cent of the back of tobacco packets and be surrounded by a black border.

This move comes just over a month before the minimum age for buying tobacco increases from 16 to 18.

On October 1, people in England and Wales will need to be 18 to buy tobacco, bringing it in line with alcohol.

© Independent Television News Limited 2009. All rights reserved.