Russian cigarette packs to bear graphic images

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MOSCOW, May 11 (UPI) -- Images including one of blackened lungs will be on cigarette packs in Russia starting in 2013 to emphasize the health impacts of smoking, officials said Friday.

The Health and Social Development Ministry said the 13 graphic images will be accompanied by warnings about impacts of smoking, including periodontitis and erectile dysfunction, RIA Novosti reported.

The images and new warnings will begin appearing in May 2013.

Cigarette packs in Russia now carry only written warnings.

The World Health Organization's Global Adult Tobacco Survey in 2007 found Russia led the world in smoking, with more than 39 percent of the adult population, or 43.9 million people, using tobacco, acting Health and Social Development Minister Tatiana Golikova said.

Golikova said smoking kills about 400,000 Russians a year.

An anti-smoking campaign in Russia is to include stricter rules on smoking in public places and higher taxes on cigarettes.