Smokers' anger over restrictions

Smokers' groups and manufacturers have condemned government proposals to clamp down on cigarette vending machines and packets of 10 in an attempt to stop children and young people smoking.

Health ministers claim that tighter controls on advertising could reduce smoking among the young by "taking away temptation", as recommended in a consultation document.

The attempt to make cigarettes less accessible to children was welcomed by doctors and anti-smoking campaigners.

But the smokers' lobby group Forest said there was "no evidence" to show the plans would cut smoking rates among young people.

Its spokesman, Neil Rafferty, said. "As far as vending machines go, the simple solution is to make them credit-card operated – then children can't use them."