Tobacco companies are losing 900 customers in Cumbria every year.

Tobacco companies are losing 900 customers in Cumbria every year.That average the number of people in the county who die from smoking related illnesses every twelve months. Smoking is an addiction that usually starts in childhood and is still Cumbria’s biggest killer.

Research has shown that young people are more likely to be attracted by designed tobacco packs, than by plain packs.

With regulation in place to restrict television, radio and other advertising, packaging is becoming more and more important to the tobacco industry to help sell their products.

Shiny holograms, pretty pastel colours and wrappers are just some of the eye-catching pack designs available, and there is building evidence to suggest that these packs can attract and mislead children.

A public consultation on whether to introduce plain packaging in the UK ends on 10 August.

People in Cumbria can support the measure quickly and easily by signing up to www.plainpacksprotect.co.uk before the consultation closes.

Cumbria’s deputy director of public health, Dr Rebecca Wagstaff, said: “Around 900 Cumbrians die each year due to smoking and most start as children.

“Figures show that more than 1,100 children aged 10-14 in Cumbria are regular smokers and the evidence is that more will be attracted to start by branded tobacco packaging than plain packs.

"Plain packaging will help us to stop children starting to smoke and the more people in Cumbria who support the measure, the better the chance that the current consultation will result in a change in the law.”

If you are over 16 years old you have a much better chance of quitting smoking for good with our help. If you want to give up smoking, we offer free and confidential advice and support.

Stop smoking clinics are available in a range of places across Cumbria. Call the Stop Smoking Service on 01900 324222 to arrange, or ask your GP or drop in to your nearest participating pharmacy.

Telephone consultations are also available for people who are unable to attend clinics.

Tobacco Free Futures is working across the North West in collaboration with NHS teams works in diverse and innovate ways to make smoking history for children.  Tobacco Free Futures has achieved a great deal locally, regionally and nationally, in reducing smoking prevalence rates and protecting children and adults from tobacco harm. www.tobaccofreefutures.co.uk