London: An Albanian man living in France says he was shocked to discover the stump of his amputated leg being used as an anti-smoking warning on cigarette packets.

The photo was used on the packets of several cigarette brands sold throughout France and Luxembourg, without the man’s knowledge or permission.

Adding to his confusion was the fact the photo illustrates the message "smoking clogs your arteries" – but his leg was amputated as a result of a shooting in Albania in 1997 that left him crippled for life.

The man said he was stunned to see his amputated leg on a cigarette packet. Credit:BBC

The man, in his 60s, lives in Metz in north-eastern France near the border with Luxembourg.