LUXEMBOURG – Last week, European leaders agreed on how the European Union (EU) would regulate tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, Forbes reports. The rules will govern how tobacco products will be packaged, presented and produced within the EU.

The EU health ministers approved legislation that would endorse firmer health warnings on cigarettes as part of an larger movement to reduce smoking. Of particular interest is stopping young people from smoking, given that 70% of smokers take up the habit before their 18th birthday, according to the European Commission.

The regulations would impose graphic images and stronger text about the harm tobacco can do on cigarette packaging. That information would have to cover 65% of the front and back of the pack, a sharp increase from the 45% currently in place. Language on the packaging would have to say that cigarettes have more than 70 cancer-related ingredients.

The ministers also decided to forbid the sale of cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco with any flavoring, such as fruit or menthol. Other tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, will have more restrictions.

The changes come as Ireland moves to become the first EU nation to have plain packaging. Meanwhile, a Georgetown University Medical Center public health expert and attorney speculates on how the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration graphic tobacco warning labels will pass muster in the courts.