The Ministry of Health is releasing its proposal today, which pushes for a stronger written warning on cigarette packets, about the dangers of smoking.

A consultation document from Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor, includes a plan to put large pictures on the front and back of packets. It recommends providing harsh evidence of the harms associated with smoking, including photos of smokers with throat cancer, rotting teeth and gums and gangrenous feet.

New Zealand is obliged to increase the size of its health warnings within the next few years, because it is party to the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Canada, Australia, Brazil and Thailand have already adopted graphic warnings and many other countries are also considering making the change.