MORE than 2,300 children in Derbyshire are estimated to have taken up smoking in the past year.
The figure was released by national group Smokefree Action Coalition, which is calling on the Government to standardise tobacco packaging.
The group, whose members include Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, said all tobacco products should be sold in packs of uniform size, shape and design – known as plain packs.
A spokeswoman for the charities said: "It's now over a year since the Government launched a public consultation on tobacco packaging.
"Since then, 2,312 children in Derbyshire will have taken up smoking.
"To reduce this number in future, health groups are calling on the Government to introduce legislation requiring standard tobacco packaging so that children will no longer be tempted by glitzy, branded packaging to take up the habit."