New European laws came into effect on Thursday.

Spam can be sent only if the recipient has agreed in advance to accept it.

So instead of ticking a box to opt OUT of getting mail, you'll have to opt IN.

Firms which flout the law could be fined up to �5,000.

TACKLING SPAM Delete them unread - opening an e-mail could confirm to a spammer that you do exist. If it's a bona fide company, try to unsubscribe. For persistent offenders, contact the Information Commissioner.

But this won't mean an instant end to overflowing mailboxes - much spam is sent from outside the European Union, so does not come under the legislation.

"They won't necessarily catch hardcore spammers who are based outside Europe peddling illegal or disreputable products," says Nick Graham of law firm Denton Wilde Sapte.

Hampered

"This kind of hardcore spammer didn't pay much attention to rules in force before these new rules, so individuals with Hotmail accounts will have to look at more practical, homegrown ways of solving the problem."

It's estimated that spam now accounts for 50% of global e-mail traffic, compared with just 8% two years ago.

But there have been concerns that businesses could be hampered if they are not allowed to market themselves and their products by e-mail.

There is a limited exemption so they can keep contacting existing customers about similar products and services.

Lisa McLean: "It's bizarre"

Another problem is that while people's personal e-mail accounts are covered under the legislation, their business acounts aren't.

"This is simply bizarre," says Lisa McLean of solicitors Laytons.

"But the Information Commissioner quite expressly says that he will not investigate e-mails which relate to non-business goods and services sent to work addresses."

Companies or individuals that break the laws can be reported to the office of the Information Commissioner, which has the power to take them to court.