Around 207,000 children aged 11 to 15 took up smoking in 2011, a rise of 50,000 on the previous year, Cancer Research UK figures released on Friday showed.
The charity urged the government to force all cigarette manufacturers to use plain packaging after the report revealed that, on average, 567 children took up smoking every day in 2011.
Over a quarter of under-16s have tried smoking at least once, the study found. The charity urged the government to take action.
"With such a large number of youngsters starting to smoke every year, urgent action is needed to tackle the devastation caused by tobacco," said Sarah Woolnough, executive director of policy and information at Cancer Research UK.
Replacing slick, brightly-coloured packs that appeal to children with standard packs displaying prominent health warnings is a vital part of efforts to protect health."
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