A REPORT this week revealed that smoking costs every man and woman in the Bolton area more than £250 a year.

Fewer than a third of the area's residents are smokers, yet the area pays out around £692 million a year on ill health, lost earnings and premature deaths due to smoking.

The cost of treating diseases caused by smoking is around £37 million.

The Bolton Evening News' Stub It Out campaign has been backed by thousands of residents, as well as pubs, cafes, restaurants, health experts and some councillors, who all want to make Bolton a smoke-free town.

Successes so far include a ban on smoking in the town's Crompton Place shopping arcade.

Bolton Primary Care Trust's Fresh Focus campaign, which offers help to people who want to quit smoking, can be contacted on 01204 360008.