Mar 22 2013 The number of children who have taken up smoking has
risen by 50,000 in just one year, research has suggested. About
207,000 children aged 11 to 15 started to smoke in 2011, a sharp
rise from 157,000 in 2010, said Cancer Research UK. The charity
said the figure equates to 567 children taking up the habit each
day. Almost one in three (27%) of under-16s have tried smoking
at least once, a study by the charity found. It urged the
Government to commit to putting all cigarettes in plain
standardised packs. Last April, the Government launched a
consultation exercise on plans to introduce mandatory
standardised packaging for tobacco products. Health campaigners
welcomed the proposal but opponents claimed it would lead to
increased smuggling and job losses. Information generated by the
consultation, which closed in August, is still being analysed by
health officials. Sarah Woolnough, executive director of policy
and information at Cancer Research UK, said: "With such a large
number of youngsters starting