The government is considering a ban on the sale of packs of 10 cigarettes because it believes they encourage children to take up smoking.

The move is part of a new wave of antitobacco legislation being considered by Patricia Hewitt, the health secretary, to maintain momentum in the campaign against smoking after it is banned in enclosed public places from July 1.

Other planned curbs on tobacco sales include outlawing the display of cigarettes in newsagents and supermarkets and removing cigarette vending machines from pubs.

Hewitt believes the measures should be targeted at preventing teenagers from becoming hooked on cigarettes.

A Whitehall source said: “We will not want to lose the momentum after the ban on smoking in public places is introduced on July 1. People do not want to think that, after the ban on smoking in public places is introduced, that is it.

“The government will concentrate on teenagers and persuading them not to start smoking in the first place. Consideration is being given to restricting the display of cigarettes to ensure they are not seen in newsagents but kept under the counter.

“Consideration is also being given to restricting or even not allowing the sale of packets of 10 cigarettes. We are also looking at the removal of vending machines in pubs.

“The aim is to reduce access to cigarettes in this group.”

In April, the British Medical Association (BMA) urged the government to introduce laws to cut smoking among teenagers and described the display of cigarettes in shops as a form of advertising.

Government statistics show most underage smokers buy cigarettes in packs of 10. Internal tobacco industry documents confirm the smaller packs are mainly bought by young smokers, described as “new entrants”, because they are cheaper.

Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France and 14 states of America have already banned their sale.

Government research has also shown teenagers find it easier to buy cigarettes from vending machines than from shops.

A voluntary code agreed with the National Association of Cigarette Machine Operators is supposed to ensure machines are placed only in supervised areas so that underage smokers cannot buy cigarettes, but research suggests about a quarter of all regular underage smokers usually obtain their cigarettes from vending machines.

The BMA argues that the display of cigarettes in newsagents and supermarkets is a form of tobacco advertising. It says large quantities of a brand on display can form “power walls” as a backdrop to the counter.

Its report says: “Displays at the point of sale normalise tobacco use, especially because the packs are placed next to everyday items.”

Research has shown teenagers become more aware of tobacco brands when cigarettes are on display and that this encourages them to try specific makes. In addition, schoolchildren believe that it will be more difficult for them to buy cigarettes when they are not on display.

Norway and New Zealand are considering banning displays of cigarettes at the point of sale and insisting tobacco is stored under the counter. Scottish ministers are also considering the move.

Other measures already being introduced in England and Wales include a power for council officials to give on-the-spot fines from July 1 for dropping cigarette ends. The sale of tobacco to under18s will be banned from October 2007.

The planned extension of antismoking laws will be welcomed by health campaigners, but Forest, a group representing smokers’ rights, said: “Smokers will adapt to these new restrictions. This is a sign the government’s measures are failing and they are turning to more extreme policies.”

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