AN anti-smoking charity has thrown its weight behind a campaign help stop youngsters experimenting with cigarettes.

Smoke Free Essex is supporting Plain Packs Protect, which aims to stop glamorous packaging being used to sell tobacco.

The campaign is also backed by Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and the Royal College of Physicians.

Dr Mike Gogarty, director of public health, in the North Essex cluster said: “Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of ill health and the single most important lifestyle factor affecting health inequalities.

“The rates of smoking are reducing in Essex but more work needs to be done.

“We must act now to protect our children becoming the future generation of smokers and from taking up this fatal habit.”