BOLTON North-east MP David Crausby made fresh appeals in parliament for a complete ban on tobacco advertising.
Mr Crausby said that the government had a commitment to cutting the number of deaths from smoking related disease.
The politician also asked the secretary of state for health, Alan Milburn, for smokers to get help from the government to give up.
Mr Crausby said: "Smoking kills 120,000 people a year in the UK and is the biggest cause of coronary heart disease in the young and old.
"Smokers of all ages have also a higher risk of heart attacks than non-smokers and overall, smoking causes about a third of all cancer deaths.
"Research shows that an advertising ban would save up to 3,000 lives a year and that the brands most heavily advertised are those most smoked by children.
"Although, I would like to see a ban on tobacco advertising as soon as possible, I believe as a government we need to encourage, help and assist those people who want to kick the habit."
ADVERTISING BAN: MP David Crausby
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article