MPs in Lancashire are being urged to tell the government to take a tougher stance on tobacco promotion.

This comes as new figures reveal an estimated 18,000 children start smoking every year in the North West.

Tobacco Free Futures has called upon the government to commit to legislation for the introduction of plain, standardised packaging of cigarettes.

The changes would put an end to glossy packs aimed at young people, and protect future generations from tobacco promotion.

Smoking ultimately kills half of all long-term users, affecting 78,500 across the UK, a number which grows by 430 every day.

Andrea Crossfield, director of Tobacco Free Futures, said: “We are urging MPs to listen, commit and legislate and put cigarettes in standard packs and help end the disgraceful scandal of tobacco marketing for good.

“In the North West 86 per cent of young people thought plain packs were less attractive than branded packs.”