Branding and logos on cigarette packets could be banned under Government proposals to cut smoking.

Controls including plain packaging, minimum pack sizes of 20 to prevent teenagers who can only afford packs of 10 buying cigarettes, and a ban on the advertising of cigarette papers are all under consideration by the Department of Health.

It has released “The Future of Tobacco Control” consultation document in a bid to smoking rates and preventing young people from starting the habit.

More than 200,000 under 16’s start smoking each year and are three times more likely to die of cancer than someone who starts in their mid-20s, according to government figures.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: “Protecting children from smoking is a Government priority and taking away temptation is one way to do this.

“If banning brightly-coloured packets, removing cigarettes from display and removing the cheap option of a pack of ten helps save lives, then that is what we should do, but we want to hear everyone’s views first.”

Research had found that children and young people were more receptive to tobacco advertising than adults, the Department of Health said.

Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ lobby group Forest disagrees with the Government’s proposals, arguing that the measures will make smoking “more attractive” to teenagers ratehr than discouraging them.

Mr Clark said: “The best way to tackle youth smoking is through education and proper enforcement of the legal age limit.

“Banning point of sale display will make smoking even more attractive to teenagers. Worse, it will drive many smokers towards cheaper counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes.

“Yet again freedom of choice and personal responsibility are being sacrificed by politicians who think they know best. What next? Are they going to ban the display of alcohol and confectionery?” he added.

However the proposals were welcomed by anti-smoking pressure group Action on Smoking and Health.

Ash director Deborah Arnott said: “Smoking is a habit which is passed down from generation to generation and this pattern can only be broken by fresh thinking and a comprehensive cross-government strategy.”