Curbs on smoking are a secret plot to ban the habit altogether, claims Shipley MP Philip Davies.

The outspoken Conservative backbencher accused anti-smoking campaigners of hiding their “real agenda” – outright abolition.

Mr Davies said: “If people had the courage of their convictions and said, ‘We should ban smoking altogether’, I would at least have some respect for them.

“But they dare not say that that is what they want to do – even though we know it is their real agenda.”

The Shipley MP – a non-smoker – criticised the ban on smoking in cars where children are passengers, approved by MPs this week.

He also attacked proposals to ban advertising on cigarette packing, likely to be confirmed next month. He said: “What on earth is the point of having plain packaging for products that are already behind a counter and cannot even be seen?”