Warsaw - Some 50 people blocked a pedestrian crossing at the Polish-Ukrainian border Monday in protest over new European Union regulations that limit how many cigarettes can be brought across the border.

The new regulations took effect at midnight, and allow a maximum of two packs of cigarettes allowed through the crossing.

The protesters are mainly people who have made a living bringing over cheap cigarettes from Ukraine to sell them in Poland, reported the Polish Press Agency PAP.

The protesters say they are demanding changes in regulations and will continue their action for at least a week, PAP reported.

The pedestrian crossing in the Polish village of Medyka is blocked to traffic going from Poland to Ukraine. People entering Poland are escorted by security through a road crossing. (dpa)