Soon, cigarette packets that talk to smokers about quitting smoking

Cigarette packets that talk could soon join the fight to push smokers into kicking their unhealthy habit.

The researchers were inspired by tobacco companies, who have been making more attractive packaging for consumers, and tried to use similar tactics against the companies to encourage people to give up the habit, the Mirror reported.

The researchers came up with two talking packets with different recorded messages.

One offered smokers a phone number for advice on quitting smoking and another warned that smoking reduces fertility.

The packets use a technology similar to the ones used in birthday cards that play a message, when opened.

The packs are fitted with a voice recording and playback unit that helps the message to get repeated every time the packet is opened.

Stirling University has initially tested the devices on women between the ages of 16 and 24, as this remains one of the groups with high smoking rates.

Volunteers said that they found the messages about fertility 'hard-hitting' and 'off-putting'.

Girls particular 16-17 years old, said that it would make them consider about quitting smoking.

However, another volunteer said that the messages could lead them to quitting or cutting back, simply because they were irritating.