It (the Bill) needs to be robust in the face of legal challenge in case any inconsistencies are exploited by the tobacco industry

Malcolm Chisholm, MSP

He said: "Advertising and promotional activities don't respect national boundaries so there are clearly cross-border issues here, which means in order for the ban to be effective it has to be implemented across the UK.

"It needs to be robust in the face of legal challenge in case any inconsistencies are exploited by the tobacco industry."

If the Bill is successful it will ban the promotion or advertising of tobacco, in areas such as print, electronic media and on billboards.

It will also restrict the display of tobacco products in shops and other sales outlets.

In addition, Scottish ministers will be given enforcement powers, and new offences and set penalties will be introduced.

On-going measures

Mr Chisholm said the move would not tackle the high death toll among smokers, but stressed ministers had other measures in the pipeline.

The Scottish National Party's Nicola Sturgeon said she hoped the legislation would be passed before the general election.

Smoking-related illnesses claim 13,500 lives each year in Scotland

Mr But Mr Chisholm said he could not make a promise on the timetable.

On Wednesday, the health and community care committee agreed to support Westminster's bid to lead on the legislation.

It also agreed that a short debate on the issue should take place in the Scottish Parliament next week.

Last October, the European Court of Justice overturned an EU directive banning tobacco advertising and sponsorship from 2001, saying the Commission had no power to introduce the law.