SMOKERS are being urged to stub it out ahead of the introduction of new laws that will change how cigarettes are sold.

From May 21, the cheapest pack of cigarettes available to purchase will be £8.82 with packs of 10 and hand-rolled tobacco containing less than 30g no longer available from that date.

Plain packaging will also be imposed on that date, with graphic images showing the impact of smoking to be displayed.

Meanwhile, some flavoured cigarettes and tobacco will be made illegal, while the sale of menthol cigarettes will be phased out by 2020.

The rules came into effect in May last year but shops and suppliers were given 12 months to sell old stock.

Danielle Conte, senior Livewire advisor stop smoking, said: “Smoking is already an expensive habit with people who smoke 15-a-day spending an average £205 per month on cigarettes.

“It is hoped that these new laws will make people think twice about spending nearly £9 on a packet of cigarettes as opposed to the £3 or £4 a pack that they pay now.

“Research shows that smokers are four times more likely to quit with support from our stop smoking service.

“We can support you to achieve this through friendly expert advice and support.

“It doesn’t matter if you have visited us before but you’ve relapsed – you can access support as many times as you need.”