This seems to be the strategy of the UK Government, as the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said they want to reduce by 50% the number of smokers in the UK, in ten years.
This is an actualization of the “war” on tobacco that started five or six years ago, when smoking was banned from public and work places. Later in 2011 cigarette vending machines were also banned.
This month, when the prohibition for large shops to display tobacco & cigarette advertising took place, (but referring to the one year old debate and decision), this action will include smaller ones by 2015 – another decision that has been up in the air for a long time has been made: the use of plain cigarette packaging.