GROTESQUE images of gangrenous toes and clogged arteries are to be emblazoned across cigarette packets made for sale in UK shops from today.

New landmark legislation forcing tobacco firms to include the dramatic pictures on their packaging has been welcomed by Cumbria's health bosses as an additional measure in the fight to reduce higher levels of smoking seen across Barrow and Furness.

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Cumbria County Councillor Ian Stewart, the area's public health spokesman, described the move as a 'vital step' in ensuring children and young people across the area were not enticed by packaging.

He said: "We’ve long had concerns that cigarette packs can be attractive and misleading, especially to children. 

"These new laws are a vital step forward in ensuring future generations are protected from the dangers of smoking."

Shops selling tobacco products are already bound by law to keep them out of view.

They will be able to sell remaining stock until May 17 next year when all packets must carry the new images.

Trading standards officers across the area will be in charge of enforcing the new law.

Colin Cox, Cumbria's director of public health, said: "The percentage of young people smoking in Cumbria has steadily and dramatically decreased since 2003, which is a trend that we are delighted about. 

"These new laws can only help contribute to this decline and ultimately cut the risks associated with smoking, saving more lives."

Last year, new figures revealed Cumbria has around 12,000 people living with smoking related lung disease, including lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

There were 838 deaths attributed to COPD alone across the county between 2012 and 2014.