Tobacco firms will not deter the Scottish Government from bringing in plain packaging for cigarettes, the Public Health Minister said.

Michael Matheson is "committed to bold action" to reduce smoking rates and said he wanted Scotland to be at the forefront of international efforts.

The country was the first part of the UK to officially support standardised packaging, with ministers backing the move in March.

The Scottish Government has committed itself to bring in legislation on plain packaging in 2014-15. No such measure was mentioned by the UK Government when it outlined its legislative programme in May.

Australia was the first country to require tobacco products to be sold in plain packaging, and Mr Matheson said he was "very encouraged" by early findings on the impact of the policy.

"I am determined to see Scotland remain at the forefront of those countries committed to bold action to reduce the harm to our health caused by tobacco," Mr Matheson said as he addressed the Faculty of Public Health conference.

"To build a generation free from tobacco, it is necessary to restrict the imagery tobacco companies use to pull in another generation."

Imperial Tobacco challenged the decision to ban the display of tobacco products but it was dismissed by the UK Supreme Court.

Mr Matheson said: "We will not be deterred by the tobacco industry. They have failed before in challenging the Scottish Parliament's ability to legislate on public health."