A SENIOR councillor has hit out at the way the tobacco industry ‘manipulates’ people ahead of World No Tobacco Day on Sunday.

The day highlights the negative effect smoking has on young people and ‘exposes the tactics’ used by the tobacco industry.

A new analysis of national figures, calculated by Cancer Research UK and Imperial College London, show that 279 children, aged 11-15, start smoking each year in Warrington, with two in three going on to become daily smokers.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “The way the tobacco industry targets and manipulates people is deeply concerning – and especially so where it affects children and young people.

“These figures highlight how essential it is that the Government delivers on its ambition for England to be smoke-free by 2030, so future generations can grow up healthier and with fewer smoking related illnesses, which can be detrimental to health.

“Smoking is the leading cause of preventable premature death in Warrington, killing 282 people a year, and we want to ensure that our children grow up free from addiction to tobacco.

“Children whose parents smoke are nearly three times as likely to become smokers themselves, highlighting the importance of doing more to help adults quit too.

“Roughly one in 10 people in Warrington smoke, with 282 people dying from smoking each year.

“The best thing any smoker can do for their health and wellbeing is to quit, to protect themselves and others from life threatening diseases, and reduce the impact of smoking on health and social care services.”

Support for people to stop smoking is available through LiveWire’s SmokeFree scheme.

Visit livewirewarrington.co.uk/lifestyle/stop-smoking for more information or call 0300 300 0818.