GRAPHIC pictures to highlight the dangers of smoking are to be put on all cigarette packets.

The shocking images, which include rotting teeth and black lungs, are aimed at ending the "'sexy image" of smoking, says the Euro-MP who introduced the legislation.

Liberal Democrat Chris Davies, whose constituency includes Hyndburn, won cross-party support in the European Parliament for amendments he tabled to existing legislation.

The Commission had issued 42 photographs and designs, three to accompany each of the 14 written warnings that currently appear on cigarette packs.

After a public consultation 15 have been chosen for use in Britain, and they will be on all cigarette packets by 2009.

Mr Davies says his aim has been to curb the peer pressure which leads to young people taking their first smoke, often before they are 16 years old.

He said: "Manufacturers have always tried to present smoking as something that is adult, cool and sexy.

"Once hooked, the addictive properties of nicotine make it hard to give up.

"The aim of these pictures is to ensure that there is no chance at all of cigarettes ever again appearing glamorous.

"Adults should be free to smoke in private, but Government health policy should aim to make sure that people are well informed about possible dangers from all drugs, and tobacco is the biggest killer of all."

Last May, Belgium became the first EU country to introduce the compulsory requirement that the images be used to supplement health warnings on cigarette packs.

The idea came from Canada, where, since 2000, cigarette packets have carried pictures to highlight the health risks of smoking.

Research shows that the illustrations significantly increase the impact of written messages, with 44 per cent of Canadian smokers claiming that they have increased their motivation to stop smoking.

But Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe, a former smoker, said he was not convinced people will stop smoking because of illustrations.

He said: "I have just returned from Spain where all cigarette packs have warnings which read Smoking Causes Death but that hasn't stopped people there.

"I think more needs to be done in terms of the education system so people never start.

"I don't think people realise how dangerous smoking is and the effect that is has.

"The pictures may help some people to quit but I don't think they will have a massive impact."