David Cameron, the Conservative leader, gave a cautious welcome to proposals for a further crackdown on smoking which would ban shopkeepers from displaying cigarettes and pubs from having tobacco vending machines. "I think this is worth looking at. As someone who struggled with giving up smoking, it helps if you take away some of the temptation," he told the BBC.

The Association of Convenience Stores warned that the proposed move to force the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products under the counter would pose practical difficulties and increase costs for shop owners.