Tobacco companies should be banned from using ashtrays, umbrellas and other goods to promote their products, MEPs have said.

In a vote in the European Parliament, MEPs also backed calls for cigarette vending machines to be phased out.

The calls come just one day after parliament backed proposals to ban tobacco advertising throughout the Union.

We should try to inform consumers about the consequences of their behaviour

Jules Maaten MEP

The ban and these new proposals will have to be approved by EU health ministers before it becomes law.

The proposals were included in a report by Dutch Liberal MEP Jules Maaten.

He also called for strong measures to protect the public from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor workplaces, enclosed public places and public transport.

In addition, MEPs supported his suggestion that 'toy cigarettes should be outlawed.

Informed choice

In his report, Mr Maaten said: "We should not create a society where smoking a cigarette or cigar comes to be regarded as a crime, but we should try to inform consumers about the consequences of their behaviour."

The tough measures include a proposed ban on all tobacco advertising in newspapers and magazines across the European Union, as well as in those intended for the EU market.

It would also apply to publicity on the internet and put an end to sponsorship by tobacco companies at cross-border events like Formula One motor-racing.

The proposals are expected to face stiff opposition from countries like Germany and Austria, where the revenue from tobacco advertising is worth millions.

Two years ago, the European Court of Justice ruled that a tobacco advertising ban on the grounds of health was a matter for national governments and not for the European Union.

Now the European Commission is arguing that, with tobacco advertising bans in nearly half of the EU member states, common rules are necessary in Europe's single market.

Despite the parliament's vote tobacco companies and newspaper publishers in the EU say they will mount another legal challenge to the legislation.

But EU health and consumer protection commissioner David Byrne has predicted a ban by next year.