Cigarettes could be sold in plain packets under plans being considered by ministers to cut the number of young smokers. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley wants to ban 'glitzy designs' that he says make smoking more appealing. Ministers also argue that white boxes give a false 'healthy image'.

Ministers want to see if changing cigarette packet appearance could deter children from taking up smoking and support people who are trying to quit, the spokeswoman said. Plain packs would just show only basic information and health and picture warnings. Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: 'We have to try new approaches and take decisions to benefit the population.

'That's why I want to look at the idea of plain packaging. The evidence is clear that packaging helps to recruit smokers, so it makes sense to consider having less attractive packaging. 'It's wrong that children are being attracted to smoke by glitzy designs on packets. 'We would prefer it if people did not smoke and adults will still be able to buy cigarettes, but children should be protected from the start.

'The levels of poor health and deaths from smoking are still far too high, and the cost to the NHS and the economy is vast. That money could be used to educate our children and treat cancer.

相关中文：

英国新任卫生大臣安德鲁·兰斯里(Andrew Lansley)香烟盒包装需“大变样”，改换成只标明基本信息以及对健康有害警告的“朴素包装”。该举措意在减少香烟对年轻人的吸引力并控制吸烟低龄化愈发严重的趋势。据悉，因现在香烟盒包装过于“华丽与炫目”而对青少年形成“吸烟很酷”的负面影响，大臣还建议包装盒应使用白底并配上善意的警示图片。

英卫生大臣安德鲁·兰斯里(Andrew Lansley)想通过措施让孩子远离香烟，同时向那些企图戒烟的人群提供支持和帮助。新的烟盒将改头换面，以“素颜”示人，烟盒上只标明生产日期以及警告话语。

他说：“我们一直在寻求降低吸烟人群的数量，这次我们决定从烟盒包装开始做起。因为华丽的烟盒或多或少会诱惑年轻的烟民尝试吸烟，素颜后的烟盒至少能一定程度上减少它对年轻人的诱惑力。”

据悉，因吸烟而导致死亡的人数呈逐年递增的趋势，英国国民健康保险为此每年承受着巨大的经济压力。