HYNDBURN and Haslingden MP Graham Jones has called for tighter regulation of cigarettes.

The Labour politician said it was ‘vital that we act now to reduce the uptake of smoking’ and to reduce mortality rates.

Speaking ahead of a debate in Parliament yesterday, Mr Jones said eight in 10 smokers were addicted by the age of 19.

He said: “I believe comprehensive tobacco control measures must be taken.

“One such measure is standardised tobacco packaging.

“Seventy per cent of smokers using standard packs reported that they found their cigarettes less satisfying and 81 per cent using standard packs were more likely to rate quitting as a higher priority in their lives.”

Mr Jones said he would support plans to introduce plain cigarette packets, the ban of e-cigarettes to children, and the ban on smoking in cars with children.

MPs were due to vote on whether to ban smoking in cars while under 18s were present yesterday evening.