Doctors from the British Medical Association have called for packets of 10 cigarettes to be banned and for cigarettes to be kept under the counter.

A report by the BMA released today claims the moves would prevent children from smoking.

“More must be done to make cigarettes more inaccessible to children,” said Angus GP and Scottish member of the BMA's Board of Science, Dr Andrew Thomson.

“By increasing the purchase age to 18, banning ten-pack cigarettes and making tobacco products more expensive, fewer children will be able to buy them.”