MEASURES to protect youngsters from the perils of smoking are being backed by York’s council and health bosses amid claims hundreds of children have taken up cigarettes over the last year.

City of York Council is marking World No Tobacco Day today by calling for the Government to publish its response to a consultation on proposed new laws to introduce standard tobacco packs, and to introduce legislation to implement this.

Figures based on analysis undertaken by Cancer Research UK suggest 561 11 to 15-year-olds started smoking in York during the last year, based on statistical averages.

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, the council’s director of public health, said: “Acting on standardised tobacco packs will help our aim to reduce the number of children who take up this lethal habit.”

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, cabinet member for health and chair of the city’s health and wellbeing board, said the standard packs could “make a lasting impact” on tackling the health dangers posed by smoking.

More information about World No Tobacco Day is at who.int/tobacco