New smoking laws are due to come into effect in the UK later this month, including a ban on cigarettes with "characterising flavours".

Cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco products may no longer have flavours, such as menthol, vanilla or candy that "mask the taste and smell of tobacco".

The ban is part of a four-year phasing out period under EU Tobacco Product Directive laws, as well as an attempt to stop young people smoking.

Smokers will be unable to purchase menthol-flavoured, or other flavoured, cigarettes once the ban comes into force on May 20.

Under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, it states: "No person may produce or supply cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco with a characterising flavour.

"No person may produce or supply cigarettes 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.

Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: "Research shows that menthol makes it easier for young people to start smoking because it masks the harshness when they first try to inhale.

"In reality, menthol cigarettes are just as harmful as regular cigarettes and most adult smokers become addicted to smoking in their youth. Removing menthol cigarettes from the market will deter young people from starting smoking.

"This will help the government reach its ambition for a smokefree England by 2030, which is defined by smoking rates below 5%."