Trying to quit smoking?
13,000 children in the North East were admitted to hospital with smoking related problems last year. Here's where you can find help quitting
No Smoking Day: The facts
Today is the start of the 30th annual No Smoking Day campaign.
Hospitals launch 'stop smoking' campaign
A stop smoking campaign is being launched to help make hospitals in the region cleaner and cut down on the cost of smoking related diseases.
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Health warnings issued over child passive smoking figures
by Frances ReadShocking new figures have shown that more than 13,000 children in the North East need medical treatment every year as a result of breathing in second-hand cigarette smoke.
Experts say smoking out of a window or backdoor is not enough to protect children and that it's making them ill.
Trying to quit smoking?
13,000 children in the North East were admitted to hospital with smoking related problems last year. Here's where you can find help quitting
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Mother quit smoking for children's health
Donna Nicholson says she quit smoking because of the effects passive smoke could have on her children's health.
Fresh welcome passive smoke campaign
Fresh, the North East's regional office dedicated to tackling smoking, have welcomed the Government's latest campaign against passive smoking.
Director Ailsa Rutter said: "Smoking at the back door or winding down the window a little bit in your car just isn't enough to protect children from the really damaging effects of breathing in second-hand smoke.
"Eighty-five percent of second-hand smoke is invisible. It's odourless, it lingers for up to three hours and you really need very fast flowing air for it to come out of the car window."
Thousands of North East children admitted to hospital with smoking related problems
New figures show that 13,000 children in the North East were admitted to hospital with smoking related problems last year.
The news comes as the Government launches its latest anti-smoking campaign warning people of the dangers of passive smoking.
TV and online adverts in England will outline the risk to children of people lighting up in cars and homes.
Full Report: National No Smoking Day
Today is No Smoking Day and health experts are encouraging people to quit by highlighting the cost of cigarettes.
The anti-smoking charity FRESH says the average smoker would save £2500 a year by giving up.
Derek Athey from Darlington quit smoking last year and has since put the hundreds of pounds he saved on cigarettes toward helping him pass his HGV licence.
You can watch the full report from Jonny Blair below.
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No Smoking Day: The facts
Today is the start of the 30th annual No Smoking Day campaign.
Read the full storyNo Smoking Day in the North East: Derek's story
Events are taking place across the North East to mark No Smoking Day.
It is the 30th year that the day has been held and aims to help people stop smoking.
One of those who has been persuaded to stop is Derek Athey from Darlington.
He has put the hundreds of pounds he saved on cigarettes towards helping him pass his HGV licence and quit the habit a year ago when he was diagnosed with arterial disease in his legs, caused by his smoking.
"The advice is always to quit if you can"
The Northumberland Stop Smoking Service has warned that there are still many older smokers in the region putting their lives at risk, years after the smoking ban was introduced.
The warning comes as the Government released a hard-hitting advert which shows a tumour growing out of a cigarette.
The North East has seen the fastest rate of people quitting, but the service says more people need to follow suit.
NHS anti-smoking services praised
Bob Cunningham and his family has had their first smokefree Christmas in more than 20 years after he gave up the habit.
He said that he is now fitter, can taste sugar and salt better, and has hundreds more pounds to spend on his family.
He is one of more than 5,000 people who have benefited from NHS Northumbria Healthcare's Stop Smoking services.
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