A VOTE by MPs to put cigarettes out of sight in shops and help make smoking history for more children has been praised by health campaigners in the North East.

Fresh Smoke-Free North East says the proposals to ban the display of cigarettes and remove tobacco vending machines are likely to help reduce the number of children who try cigarettes from the current 300,000 a year.

The proposals, which were passed by the House of Commons on Monday night, will now have to be approved by the House of Lords before becoming law.

Thousands of people in the region signed postcards calling on the region’s MPs to vote in favour. Medical experts say these measures will help to protect children from the millions of pounds spent on tobacco promotion that helps tempts too many to a lifetime of smoking, years of illness and an early death.

About one in two smokers die from smoking and it is the nation’s biggest killer, costing the NHS £2.7bn a year, and businesses £2.1bn a year through illness and absenteeism alone.

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: “This is an important vote for anyone who believes health is more important that profit. Glossy tobacco displays in shops have got larger, brighter and more colourful since advertising was banned and these have a major impact on children and young people.”

Richard Ferry of the North- East Trading Standards Association, said: “Vending machines are expensive, but remain a significant source of cigarettes for young people.

Banning vending machines would have a big impact.”

The measures could come into force in larger shops by 2011, and in smaller shops by 2013.