Calls to package cigarettes in plain boxes are being supported by the city’s community leaders.

York City Council is backing the Smoke Free Action Coalition to ensure their proposals for standardised packaging are put to a vote in Parliament before next year’s General Election.

If successful, the changes will ensure the tobacco industry can no longer advertise and market its products to young people through branding on cigarette packs.

Cllr Linsay Cunningham-Cross, the authority’s cabinet member for Health and Community Engagement, said: “There are still 28,888 people who smoke in York. “The longer the delay in the introduction of standardised packaging the more people will start smoking in York - and we need to reduce this number as soon as possible.”

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, director of health and wellbeing, said: “Smoking continues to be the biggest cause of mortality in this country and now is the time to act.”