THE decision to scrap plans to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes has been slammed by the Lancashire Telegraph’s health expert, Dr Tom Smith.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced the delay and said the Government wanted to see how a similar scheme in Australia worked before making a decision.

Dr Smith said: “It’s a political decision and a disgrace.

“All we can do to stop people smoking should be done, and I’m furious the Government has chickened out and surrended to the tobacco industry.

“When you’ve had to deal with a 29-year-woman dying early because she started smoking after seeing adverts as a child, you know it’s wrong.”

National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) spokesman Suleman Khonat said: “There is no credible evidence that introducing plain packaging would stop young people smoking.”