Children's pleas used to get Yorkshire smokers to quit
A new film, which includes heartfelt messages from children, aims to encourage smokers across Yorkshire to kick the habit.
It's been released by Public Health England (PHE) who warn that despite a drop in the number of smokers in the region, the figure is still above the national average at 18.6%.
PHE reveals 45 people die every day of cardiovascular disease caused by smoking and it also increases the risk of clogged arteries by a quarter, doubling the risk of heart attack or stroke.
The films release comes just days ahead of 2017 which is the first year all cigarettes will be sold in standard packs with graphic health warnings.
The first standard packs in the country were spotted in Leeds in August. By May 2017 standard packs will be mandatory.
Today Public Health England has launched a campaign to highlight the damaging effect smoking has on the heart, with over 16,500 deaths a year in England.
CVD is usually associated with the build up of fatty deposits clogging up the arteries, known as atherosclerosis, that can block the flow of blood to vital organs and eventually cause fatal heart attacks and strokes.
Scott Crosby, from Breathe 2025, the Yorkshire and Humber tobacco alliance said;
"There’s never been a better time to quit and with the right tips and support, you can do it. More and more people are quitting and the great news is we now have more ex-smokers than smokers.
"There are lots of different ways to quit and lots of tools and help to make sure you succeed. Local stop smoking services are a great place to start as they’re the most effective way to quit but there are also great options online."
Breathe 2025 is the overarching campaign brand for work and aspirations to eliminate tobacco-related harms and health inequalities across Yorkshire and The Humber and inspire the next generation of children in the region to be smokefree.