Sir, Putting tobacco products out of sight in shops, banning vending machines and considering plain packaging for cigarettes will help to protect children from the devastating influence of tobacco marketing.

As a group of leading health organisations, we are calling on all members of the House of Lords to vote for these proposals in the debate on the Health Bill later this month.

Removing glossy tobacco displays — designed to attract youngsters — from sight doesn’t infringe “smokers’ rights” to choose their favourite brand. Ninety per cent of smokers already know which brand of cigarettes they will buy before going into a shop.

Research shows that keeping tobacco out of sight helps to reduce teenage smoking. Numbers dropped in Iceland and some Canadian provinces after displays were removed. And it could cost less than £200 to refit tobacco displays.

There is good evidence — backed by the World Health Organisation and other leading medical experts — that these measures will help to stop children smoking. The tobacco industry denies this. But it is difficult to believe that healthy children are a priority for an industry intent on recruiting a new generation of smokers. Approximately 340,000 under-16s try cigarettes for the first time each year and 80 per cent of smokers start before age 19. Half of all long-term users will die from their addiction. Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of premature death, killing more people than alcohol, obesity, illegal drugs and road accidents put together.

The UK has led the way in tobacco control: the smoking ban now enjoys huge public support. But Ireland and Scotland are ahead of the game with plans to put tobacco out of sight and ban vending machines. We urge Parliament to follow suit by ensuring that health — not the financial interests of the tobacco industry — is at the heart of a Health Bill.

Harpal Kumar

Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK

Dame Helena Shovelton

Chief Executive, British Lung Foundation

Peter Hollins

Chief Executive, British Heart Foundation

Dr Hamish Meldrum

Chairman, British Medical Association Council

Neil Churchill

Chief Executive, Asthma UK

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