The British government said on Wednesday it will push through legislation forcing tobacco firms to sell cigarettes in plain packs, with politicians voting on it ahead of the country's national election in May.

The move, aimed at improving public health and cutting the number of child smokers, is likely to squeeze tobacco firms' profits and would see Britain follow Australia, which two years ago enacted a groundbreaking law forcing cigarettes to be sold in plain olive green packs with images showing the damaging effects of smoking.

Jane Ellison, a junior minister in Britain's health ministry, said introducing plain packaging was "a proportionate and justified response" to the risks of smoking.