Research indicates hard-hitting images can encourage smokers to quit. Cigarette packets will carry graphic images from next year, such as dying cancer patients or diseased lungs, as part of an anti-smoking initiative started yesterday.
There is no legal obligation for EU governments to introduce picture-based health warnings, but the Department of Health yesterday confirmed it would make them mandatory for tobacco firms next year as soon as technical issues are resolved.
Mr Byrne said countries such as Canada and Brazil already used graphic photographs to illustrate their mandatory health warnings with encouraging results.
"Research and experience in countries which have introduced health warnings illustrated with colour pictures have proven that they are one of the most effective ways to do this. One hard-hitting picture really does speak more than a thousand words. These images show the reality of the damage that smoking can do," Mr Byrne said.
Prof Luke Clancy of anti-smoking group ASH welcomed the initiative but said it would have little effect on hardened smokers.
"Research shows up to 3 per cent can give up smoking because of these images. As a doctor I see these images every day, so it's no harm that others see them as well," he said.
"It will have limited effect, it won't affect everyone, especially for addicts. It's important that cessation products, counselling and help are available also."
The cigarette industry in Ireland, however, questioned whether the new measure would be effective.
A spokesperson for John Player & Sons said: "We don't think it will make that much difference. Shock tactics have had little effect in other areas. What it will do is add to the printing costs for tobacco companies."
The Commission is setting up a library of colour photographs and other graphic illustrations showing the effects of smoking. Member-states will be able to choose which images they want to use on cigarette packs in their own countries.
The Commission's decision to introduce graphic images follows a Tobacco Products Directive in 2001 which made it obligatory to enlarge the size of health warnings on tobacco packages.
This made it obligatory for cigarette packs to carry a large warning covering at least 30 per cent of the front of the cigarette pack and at least 40 per cent of the back.
Mr Byrne added: "There is no legal obligation for governments to introduce picture-based health warnings, but the effectiveness of the measure and the health of citizens are convincing arguments for their introduction."
