BRUSSELS, Belgium – This week, the European Union has come to an agreement on new anti-tobacco rules, which include health warnings covering more space on cigarette packaging and regulations for electronic cigarettes, Reuters reports. The rules will take effect in 2016.

“Agreement on the tobacco directive is a big step towards a healthier and more prosperous society,” said Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Lithuania’s minister of health. The accord came about after the European Parliament and members agreed on how e-cig market restrictions. EU ministers and the entire parliament is expected to approve the measures.

The deal stipulates that most electronic cigarettes may be purchased as consumer products instead of medical devices, which have stricter rules. However, individual nations could put e-cigs under medical devices if they wanted.

Most tobacco products, including rolling tobacco and cigarettes, will need graphic photo and text warnings on 65% of the front and back of the packaging. Nations such as Ireland and England considering excising all cigarette branding from packets — plain packaging — would be free to make those changes. Smoking products with flavors would be prohibited, and menthol cigarettes would be banned starting in 2020.

Tobacco firms said the regulations would usher in confusion. “Over-sizing health warnings to 65 percent with pictures positioned at the top of the pack... will not work, as people already understand the health risks associated with smoking,” said Japan Tobacco Inc. “Rather, these restrictions will confuse retailers and consumers, making it difficult for them to distinguish brands.”