They have signed an exclusive dress that will be put on public display.

One of the signatories is US supermodel Christy Turlington whose father died from lung cancer just six months after quitting smoking.

More than 40 other signatories include cover girl Sarah Thomas and designers Issey Miyake and Sonja Nuttall.

Glamour

The campaign is part of the Put Smoking out of Fashion initiative that was set up by the Health Education Authority four years ago after research showed that young people thought glossy images of models smoking were "cool" and "glamorous."

Christy Turlington's father died from lung cancer

Health campaigners believe this may partly explain why so many young people are now smoking - there are more smokers aged 16-24 than in any other age group.

Top designer Jacques Azagury, who has worked for Princess Diana and Cherie Blair, designed the dress.

He said: "The dress is not about getting models to stop smoking - but about not using cigarettes as props. Why can't we be more original?"

Education

The leading international model agency Storm, which represents supermodels Elle MacPherson, Eva Herzigovina, and Kate Moss, said girls as young as 13 are smoking.

Spokeswoman Paula Karaiskos said: "What we've noticed is girls coming to the agency are smoking at younger and younger ages - some are just 13. There's also the problem that some of the best known models smoke.

"But really it's peer pressure, rather than fashion at fault. More should be done in schools to educate teenagers about the dangers of smoking."

Display

The dress will be put on display at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London, until 9 October.

Most smokers are in the 16-24 age group

Dean Jane Rapley said: "By supporting the aims of the Put Smoking Out of Fashion, we hope to influence the fashion industry of the future.

"In the meantime we urge the fashion industry of today to accept responsibility for the health of future generations by being proactive in every way possible."