A review commissioned by the UK Government claimed there was 'emerging evidence' that forcing manufacturers to sell their products in drab, standardised boxes would do that.
It is understood the findings are crucial to whether the UK follows Australia, which 15 months ago introduced plain olive green packets with larger, more graphic health warnings for all cigarette products.
However, Year 9 pupils at La Mare de Carteret High School that we spoke to thought the claims were wrong, some saying peer pressure was a stronger influence.
Director of public health, Dr Stephen Bridgman, believed plain packaging would reduce the number of young people smoking.