New smoking laws to come into effect this month

New smoking laws are set to come into force later this month – including a ban on certain cigarettes.

It comes as a whole host of changes came into affect in April including to Universal Credit, prescriptions charges and driving tests.

From May 20, menthol cigarettes are one of the products that will be banned from shops across the UK, as reported in the Manchester Evening News.

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Smokers will be unable to purchase menthol-flavoured cigarettes as well as rolling tobacco or skinny cigarettes following the ban.

It stems from new EU Tobacco Product Directive laws coming into play on May 20 this year with the move also an attempt to stop young people smoking.

It is also the culmination of a four-year plan to phase out flavoured cigarettes.

Health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) explained what comes under the ban.A spokesperson said: "No person may produce or supply a cigarette or hand rolling tobacco with:

"(a) a filter, paper, package, capsule or other component containing flavourings;

" (b) a filter, paper or capsule containing tobacco or nicotine; or;

"(c) a technical feature allowing the consumer to modify the smell, taste, or smoke intensity of the product."

The ban includes 'click' cigarettes which can change the flavour from normal to menthol with a button inside the filter.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Amanda Sandford, from ASH, said: "There is evidence that menthol cigarettes relax the airways and the flavour masks the harshness of the smoke, therefore younger people find it easier to smoke.

"However, it is an absolute myth that menthol cigarettes are better for you.

smoking (2006 Getty Images)

"All cigarettes are harmful and menthol cigarettes are just as dangerous as normal cigarettes."

Menthol cigarettes are flavoured with compound menthol, a substance which triggers cold-sensitive nerves in the skin without actually providing a drop in temperature.

The government hopes the law will reduce the number of smokers across the EU by 2.4 million.

Tobacco products have already been hidden under the counter and stripped of branding under previous moves.