THERE are too many smokers in Hyndburn, according to the borough’s MP.

Graham Jones said although the number of smokers has reduced over the years, it is still higher in Hyndburn than the rest of the UK.

MORE TOP STORIES:

He said: “According to new research released by Cancer Research UK, the percentage of people smoking in Hyndburn is 30.1 per cent, significantly higher than the English average of 19.5 per cent.

“Smoking not only curtails the life of its many victims bringing pain and misery but it also hits our local economy and the NHS.”

Mr Jones said the UK should follow Australia’s example and introduce plain packaging for cigarettes.

He added: “The policy has helped to continue the year-on-year decline in smoking rates in Australia, and it could help in the UK, and particularly in Hyndburn where we have stubbornly high smoking rates. I accept there may be unintended consequences, though I am not sure to what extent.”

“Critics have suggested greater smuggling of illicit, dangerous or more toxic tobacco. That in itself would play in to a criminal element.

“None the less I have long believed that standardised packaging should be introduced.”