SWINDON’S MPs will vote in favour of plans to introduce plain cigarette packaging when members are given the chance to do so ahead of the General Election.

Justin Tomlinson, vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on heart disease, praised the efforts of British Heart Foundation in bringing the issue to the public’s attention.

Last week public health minister Jane Ellison told MPs they would have a free vote on the issue before the nation goes to the polls in May.

If the plans are approved, Britain would become the second country in the world to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes.

“I do a lot of work with the British Heart Foundation, who have been instrumental in pushing for this,” said Mr Tomlinson.

“I’m supportive and whilst I don’t think on its own it will discourage all young people from ever taking up smoking, it’s another vital and important step.”

Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon, said: “Anything that removes the glamour from smoking is good and also, with the use of watermarks, the counterfeiting is reduced.”

Australia was the first country to introduce such laws.