Shocking figures show more than 150 people in Hyndburn each year die from smoking-related deaths.

Some 3,000 people in the borough are suffering from a smoking-related illness, costing the NHS and local economy £5 million a year.

Hyndburn currently has the second highest smoking death rate in Lancashire, and the picture is significantly worse than both the national and regional averages. 

The statistics released by NHS East Lancashire reveal the devastating toll smoking inflicts, with the death rate being likened to ‘an aeroplane crashing every year’.

Coun Pam Barton, who smoked for 50 years before quitting 15 months ago , is leading a campaign to discourage young people from smoking. She labelled the Hyndburn smoking figures as ‘horrendous’ and said more needs to be done to persuade the young not to take up the habit.

She said: “Smoking is obviously the biggest problem we have got and as a council we have a responsibility for the health of the population.”

The figures show:

For every death caused by smoking, approximately 20 smokers are suffering from a smoking-related disease.

There are nearly 4,000 hospital out-patient appointments each year for Hyndburn residents aged 35 and over.

Smoking in Hyndburn costs the NHS £3.38 million and  local businesses nearly £1.36 million.

Each year Hyndburn smokers spend an estimated £32.2m.

Million on tobacco products.

A motion is set to go before Hyndburn council this week asking for support for plans to standardise packaging on tobacco products to protect children and young people.

Coun Barton, who is proposing the motion, added: “I started smoking when I was 15 because of teen pressure as everyone was doing it. We didn’t know then the effect it could have in the long term.

“I have been a non-smoker since March last year and if I can do it, anybody can do it. I do feel healthier but I feel it most in my pocket. If you smoke 20-a-day then it will cost you about £50 a week.

“I have two grandchildren and I would hate them to start smoking.”

Health bosses claim people from poorer backgrounds are more likely to suffer from nicotine dependence than wealthier people.

In previous Poverty in 2012 reports, the Observer has highlighted how families have been hit by economic hardship, with Accrington charity Maundy Relief handing out dozens of food parcels every month to the hard-up.

Janet Walton, head of public health development at NHS East Lancashire, said: “Research tells us that if a child is born into an environment where smoking is seen as the norm, this inevitably leads to higher rates of smoking uptake in those adolescents from poorer backgrounds.

“In adulthood, those from poorer areas are more likely to suffer from higher nicotine dependence than wealthier people who smoke, and are therefore at higher risk of smoking-related diseases.

“This is also likely to be intensified by poorer housing conditions and poorer diet.”

It is estimated that the lifetime cost of treating a smoker with a smoking-related disease in Hyndburn is more than £15,000.

Former army training instructor Christopher Cheetham stubbed out his last cigarette for good last year after fearing his left leg could be amputated.

Christopher, of Percy Street, Accrington, had part of his other leg amputated three years ago after a blood clot in his right groin caused gangrene in his foot.

The 52-year-old, a smoker for 35 years, was advised to quit smoking by doctors after having an operation on a similar clot in his left groin.

Christopher, who worked in the army for nine years as a practical training instructor, said he was ‘shocked’ by the Hyndburn smoking figures.

He said: “I never realised there was that many people who died in Hyndburn each year from smoking.  If people quit it would save a lot of lives and save the NHS a lot of money.

“People are killing themselves by smoking and harming others that don’t. I smoked for a long time and I just wish I had quit years ago. In fact I wish I never started in the first place.

“People could spend that money on more important things like bills or food.” Coun Tim O’Kane, who is seconding the motion, likened the smoking-related death figures for Hyndburn to an aeroplane crashing each year.

He said: “You can’t argue with the statistics. The figures are really scary.

“We do have one of the worst records for smoking and early years smoking and it has to be addressed. It’s a lot of money for families who can’t really afford it.

“If they are spending £70 or £80 a week on cigarettes then that is money that isn’t getting to the children. It has to be addressed.

“If we can do anything to reduce the amount of people taking up tobacco it has to be a good thing. If you are not working or unemployed it’s a big burden to keep going.”

The government is currently consulting over introducing the legislation which aims to make cigarette packs less attractive to children and include bigger health warnings.

If the motion is successful, the council will then write to Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley urging him to bring forward the legislation.

For more information on quitting smoke call the Stop Smoking Service on 01254 380424 or visit www.smokefree.eastlancs.nhs.uk.