Cigarette vending machines could be banned from pubs and clubs under government plans to fight cancer and stop youngsters taking up smoking.

The proposals are outlined in a new five-year cancer strategy, which was officially launched yesterday by Health Secretary Alan Johnson and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Proposals include extending cancer screening and providing greater care for patients trying to manage the long-term effects of cancer. Following bans on smoking in public and cigarette sales to under-18s, the Government wants to introduce further measures to cut smoking. Plans include banning shops from displaying cigarettes behind the till and reducing the size of tobacco adverts in shops. (pi)