New proposals aimed at curbing tobacco sales have the backing of the Scottish public, anti-smoking campaigners said today.

New proposals aimed at curbing tobacco sales have the backing of the Scottish public, anti-smoking campaigners said today.

Sheila Duffy, the chief executive of Ash Scotland, said the majority of people supported measures put forward by the Scottish Government.

Ministers want to outlaw cigarette vending machines and are also proposing to ban tobacco displays in shops.

In addition the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill aims to introduce a registration scheme for retailers.

Ms Duffy will give evidence on the proposals to MSPs on the Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee this morning.

Speaking ahead of that, she said an opinion poll carried out by YouGov had found 57% of people supported removing promotional displays of tobacco, 56% backed banning cigarette vending machines and 89% supported a retailer licensing scheme.

Ms Duffy said: "It is clear that the public would like to see tobacco companies stopped from promoting their lethal products to young people and want to see strong action against irresponsible retailers who sell cigarettes to anyone under 18."

She added: "Similar measures have been introduced in other parts of the world and when backed up with effective and regular enforcement action, have been shown to reduce both access to cigarettes and smoking rates in young people.

"The Scottish Parliament can help to prevent a new generation of young people from becoming addicted smokers by supporting the Tobacco Bill, and by doing so, reduce preventable and early deaths and improve our public health record.

"I hope our MSPs will support the Bill and show Scotland means business when it comes to tackling tobacco."

Last week Forest, an organisation which says smoking should be restricted to "informed" adults, told MSPs that a ban on vending machines would "almost certainly" encourage illicit trade in tobacco in pubs and clubs The organisation's director Simon Clark said the Government was being "extremist" by seeking to restrict tobacco sales.