Oct. 22, 2007 European ads for new cars may soon be carrying cigarette-style health warnings about their environmental impact, Times Online reports. (via Environmental Leader)

Under a plan being considered by the European Parliament, car ads would have to carry color-coded emissions labels ranging from dark green to red depending on a product's environmental performance. Similar labels are currently in use for new fridges and washing machines.

Print ads would also be required to devote at least 20% of the space to details about fuel economy and CO2 emissions. At the moment manufacturers must include these figures in small print. They do not have to explain what the numbers mean or provide any comparison.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders opposes giving more space to environmental information, saying that "most people will ignore it."