An MP is celebrating after his campaign to introduce plain packaging to tobacco products caught the attention of Prime Minister David Cameron.

Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East, is delighted to hear that Mr Cameron has promised to review plans for standardised packaging of cigarettes from 2015.

The Harrow East MP has led many debates on the subject in Westminster Hall and on the floor of the House of Commons where he has called on his own government to implement plan in a bid to deter children from taking up the habit.

Mr Blackman is the All Party Parliamentary Group for Smoking and Health, and hopes this latest news will be a victory in the continuing fight against smoking related health issues.

Mr Blackman, said: “It has been a long battle to keep this on the agenda so I am very pleased that the government is showing leadership and doing the right thing by putting this to a review now, with a clear path of implementation ahead.

"This has been a very personal struggle, as I have lost people close to me through smoking related health issues. I believe it is an issue of immense importance to us all.”

A study conducted in Australia – the first country to implement plain packaging one year ago – has found that smokers using plain brown packages were 81 per cent more likely to consider giving up. The review will be led by Sir Cyril Chantler and will report to the Government in March 2014.

Public Health Minister Jane Ellison (Conservative) said: "This is fundamentally about children's health. Two thirds of people start smoking when they're children and it's one of the most important public health issues we face in this country. It's the right time to ask people to look at this.

"Asking an independent body to take a look and survey the evidence for us is a sensible next step. We are going to take the opportunity to put regulations in place which will enable us to act quickly."