Luciana Berger MP, Shadow Minister for Public Heath, commenting on new figures showing the first falls in five years in the number of people successfully quitting smoking and trying to quit smoking with NHS help, said:

“These figures confirm that this Tory-led Government have completely lost their way on public health. The fact that fewer people are successfully quitting or trying to quit smoking with NHS help for the first time in five years should set alarm bells ringing.

“David Cameron promised tough action on smoking, but he has completely caved in to big tobacco and vested interests. Standardised cigarette packaging is proven to make smoking less attractive to young people, but Ministers have gone back on their pledge to introduce it.

“With around 570 children starting smoking in the UK every day, we need action now. That’s why Labour will be bringing forward an amendment to the Children and Families Bill next month to introduce standardised packaging. Ministers should do the right thing and support that change.”