The government has welcomed an EU agreement on tougher action to regulate tobacco. The council of ministers agreed last week to put larger health warnings on cigarette packets, bring in lower tar levels and ban 'misleading' cigarette labelling such as 'low tar' and 'mild'. Junior health minister Gisela Stuart said: 'This is good news for the health of European citizens. 'The new tar levels will be introduced from 2003.New nicotine and carbon monoxide levels will also be introduced. Although the European Parliament still has to reach agreement on a final directive, there is 'little difference in substance' between it and the council of ministers on the need for new measures.