Drive to stub out smoking

Oldham Council has declared a commitment to reduce smoking in the community.

Councillor Susan Dearden’s move set out the effects of smoking - particularly on the young.

Councillor Dearden - the council’s deputy cabinet member for public health - said: "As a local authority we are making progress in reducing the number of people who smoke.

"What this is trying to emphasise is the terrible cost tobacco has on Oldham - particularly in poorer communities, who spend five times as much of their weekly household budget on cigarettes than higher income smokers."

In Oldham, 24.9 per cent of people smoke, compared with a national average of 22.1 per cent..