A ban on tobacco displays is coming into force in England - with ministers promising it will help curb the number of young people taking up smoking.The ban will apply only to large shops and supermarkets, with smaller outlets given an exemption until 2015.
It means cigarettes and other products will have to be kept below the counter.
Other parts of the UK are also planning to take similar action as part of a concerted effort to drive down smoking rates.
A fifth of adults smoke - a figure which has remained steady in recent years after decades of rapid falls.
A plan to force manufacturers to put cigarettes into plain packets is also expected to be put out to consultation later this year.
The display ban will apply to shops of over 280 sq m (3,014 sq ft).
Public health minister Anne Milton cited evidence from Ireland which suggested the measure could play an important role in discouraging young people in particular from smoking.
"We cannot ignore the fact that young people are recruited into smoking by colourful, eye-catching, cigarette displays.
"Most adult smokers started smoking as teenagers and we need to stop this trend."
Jo Butcher, of the National Children's Bureau, agreed: "It's essential that we create a culture that promotes and protects public health and tobacco legislation is a significant factor in making this happen."
'No sound evidence'
However, the move has upset the tobacco industry.
Moves by Scotland to introduce such a ban have been delayed by legal action taken by Imperial Tobacco.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for British American Tobacco said: "We do not believe that hiding products under the counter or behind curtains or screens will discourage people, including the young, from taking up smoking.
"There's no sound evidence to prove display bans are justified."
He added if anything it could encourage the illicit trade of tobacco products.
The display ban was announced by the government last year as part of its tobacco control strategy.
Although the legislation allowing it to happen was actually put in place by the Labour government before it lost power in 2010.
A number of countries, including Canada, Ireland, Iceland and Finland, have already introduced similar bans.
(Source: bb.co.uk)
