A Southampton MP has called for cigarettes to be sold in plain packets to discourage people from taking up smoking.

John Denham, pictured, said he gave his “full support” to the campaign to ban designed packets from sale.

The Government is currently consulting on the move, which has stirred up opposition both within Westminster and in the tobacco industry.

Last month 50 MPs wrote to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley arguing that imposing a standard packet would make it easier to sell counterfeit cigarettes, branding the Government’s proposals “a smuggler’s charter” that would also cost thousands of jobs in cigarette manufacturing. However health groups are adamant it will help reduce the number of people dying from smoking-related illness.

Mr Denham, the Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, said it would be “an important way to prevent young people from taking up smoking”.

Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East, said he could see the arguments in favour of the change but warned it was important not to boost the fraudulent cigarette trade.

The Government has now extended the deadline for consultation into whether tobacco should be sold in plain packaging to August 10.