To reduce the number of smokers over the next 10 years, ministers in the U. K. have announced a plan.

Reports said that there was a 21 per cent decrease in the number of people who smoked and the proposed target in the coming years was 10 per cent.

To implement their plan removing branding from packets and banning cigarette vending machines will be done. This will happen in Scotland next year.

Health charity Ash called for a need of detailed work and stronger pledges for quitting smoking.

The government plans to keep a check on cheap cigarettes that are illegally imported.

If a smoker wishes to quit smoking then NHS would lend full support.

There will be a review of smoking legislation, which could see public bans extended to places such as the entrances of buildings.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said, "We've come so far and now we'll go even further, to push forward and save even more lives.

According to government reports every year smoking was responsible for almost 80,000 deaths and placed a burden of £2.7bn on NHS.