AN average of 18 15-year-olds in Bolton become hooked on smoking every week, shocking new figures reveal.

And as many as two per cent of 11-year-olds and one in 20 13-year-olds are regular smokers.

The worrying figures also show far more girls than boys are taking up the habit.

Dr Peter Elton, Greater Manchester's leading expert on stopping smoking, said: "Even though the rates are falling, the number of smokers that are girls compared to boys is hugely disproportionate, which is extremely worrying.

"Boys seem to be responding to the message. One of the reasons why more girls are smoking could be the view that smoking helps keep weight down - but there is no evidence to show this is true."

A massive 26 per cent of 15-year-old girls admitted to smoking every day, compared to just 16 per cent of boys. Fifteen years ago the number was equally divided between the two, with 25 per cent of both boys and girls claiming to be regular smokers.

Dr Elton said: "Starting smoking young locks people into a life of smoking, and smoking is more addictive than heroin."

According to the statistics - which have come from the national centre for social research into smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2004 - 12 per cent of 14-year-olds are regular smokers, while more than 29 per cent of people aged between 16 and 24 in Bolton are hooked on the habit.

Dr Elton said: "We've only included people who actually define themselves as regular smokers - that is, they smoke every day - and not those who have tried a cigarette on a social basis.

"We also haven't added anything for the fact that smokers are likely to lie about the fact that they smoke. They are also less likely to respond to surveys, so this is definitely a conservative figure."

The Bolton Evening News launched its Stub It Out campaign after figures revealed 29.6 per cent of people in the borough smoked, compared to a national average of 27 per cent.

It aims to see smoking banned in all public places, including pubs and clubs.

Dr Elton said: "Stub It Out gives people that extra bit of motivation to give up, and is extremely helpful in this respect."