The response came after the Conservatives appeared to signal an end to its traditionally close ties with cigarette companies.

Gary Streeter and tobacco industry spokesman John Carlisle debate the issues on the World at One

The party's international development spokesman, Gary Streeter, said cigarette advertising in developing countries was "an obvious evil" and often aimed at children.

In a letter to Martin Broughton, chief executive of the tobacco giant BAT, Mr Streeter proposed a voluntary code of practice to stop this.

Shadow Health Secretary Liam Fox also held a policy session on Monday - with guests including the director of Action on Smoking and Health - to look at ways of reducing smoking among young people.

Tories and tobacco 'intimately linked'

But the flurry of anti-tobacco activity was ridiculed by Public Health Minister Tessa Jowell who said the Tories lacked a serious policy on smoking.

"Gary Streeter's letter is a joke," she said. "If the Tories really cared about the lives of smokers outside the UK they would not have blocked a ban on tobacco advertising and sponsorship for years at European level.

"It is only with Labour that a ban was introduced."

Ms Jowell called on Conservative leader William Hague to say whether Mr Streeter's letter reflected party policy.

She also said Mr Fox had not replied to a letter she sent him a month ago asking if the Tories would reject donations from tobacco companies.

"Until he does, many people will believe that the Conservative Party remain intimately linked to the tobacco industry in the UK," she said.

Tessa Jowell say the Tories are merely blowing smoke rings

Ms Jowell said cigarette companies had long contributed to Tory party funds and had employed several senior party figures.

People remember well the significant support the party has received from the industry at previous elections, she said.

People are aware that, since the election, Margaret Thatcher has been appointed an advisor to BAT, while Kenneth Clarke is the company's deputy chairman.

She added that as recently as the last Budget in March the Conservatives had opposed any rise on tobacco duty.

Anti-smoking campaigners supportive

But ASH director Clive Bates told BBC News Online that he expected a new raft of Tory policies intended to restrict smoking.

He said Mr Streeter had contacted the campaign group for advice after he had decided to challenge the tobacco companies on their overseas promotions.

Gary Streeter: Described as a "rising star" by the director of ASH

"The initiative comes from him," Mr Bates said. "He went to Africa and saw the terrible things there."

While stressing his group's political neutrality, Mr Bates welcomed any Tory moves towards anti-smoking policies and said ASH would continue to assist the party.

"We would go even further. We think they shouldn't be advertising at all," he said.

"I think Gary Streeter is charting a politically realistic path. He is taking a pragmatic first step towards that.

"He's a bit of a rising star in the party and to me it's all encouraging."

Tobacco firms reject criticism

John Carlisle, Director of Public Affairs for the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, said cigarette manufacturers wanted to halt underage smoking.

The former Tory MP said a voluntary agreement under the previous government had reduced the number of young smokers, he said.

The Tories call cigarette advertising in Africa "an obvious evil"

"But the massive tax increase of recent years has resulted in a dramatic rise of cheap smuggled cigarettes, which inevitably end up in the hands of children," he added.

BAT's external communications manager Fran Morrison rejected Mr Streeter's criticism of her firm's record in developing countries.

She said the company already followed 12 specific guidelines in the 180 countries where its cigarettes are sold, including prohibiting advertising near schools or to children.

"If Mr Streeter has picked up on any specific breaches of our policy, we would like to know straight away," she said.

But Mr Streeter said BAT's guidelines were being widely flouted on the ground.