Dutch MPs are today expected to approve new European Union rules on tobacco packaging, which will see 65% of cigarette packets covered with health warnings.

The new packaging, which will include photographs of damaged lungs and other smoking-generated health problems, is due to be introduced on May 20 throughout the EU.

Tobacco firms are being given a year to bring in the changes and replace their current packaging.

Health experts say 19,000 die in the Netherlands every year from the effect of smoking and millions suffer from smoking-related problems such as cancer, heart and lung disease.