EXPERTS in Warrington have welcomed a new plan aimed at wiping out smoking.

The Government action plan includes ambitious goals to dramatically half smoking rates among adults by 2020. It also has plans to greatly reduce smoking rates among young people.

Pete Astley, head of public protection at the council, said: "Most smokers start before they are 18 so we have to reach out to young people and discourage them from ever starting smoking.

“We also concerned about the detrimental effects on health when adults smoke in the presence of their children.

“Measures therefore to promote the benefits of Smokefree home environments in our communities, is to be applauded."

"The government’s continued commitment to tackling the availability of illicit tobacco is also to be welcomed. This cheap tobacco is smuggled into the country by organised criminal gangs. Fake tobacco can be half the price of genuine products which encourages smokers to keep smoking."

For smokers who want to stop smoking call 843713.