ADULTS living in Bury are more likely to be smokers than people in the rest of country.

Figures out this week showed that more than one third of over-18s in Radcliffe, East Ward and Besses smoke. In total 29 per cent of Bury residents smoke compared with 27 per cent for the rest of the country.

Measures to tackle and reduce the high levels of smoking will be discussed by the Bury Primary Care Trust's professional executive committee (PEC).

Dr Derek Fletcher, chairman of the PEC, said: "I am pleased that the PEC is taking this issue seriously, every day I see patients suffering a result of their smoking. We have to do more to help people give up."

Dr Peter Elton, director of public health for the trust, said: "Although we must recognise that smoking is very addictive and many smokers need help to give up, most smokers do eventually quit. There are more ex-smokers than smokers in Bury. This has undoubtedly contributed to a massive improvement in health over the last 20 years. For example, a reduction in the risk of dying of hearth disease by about a third."

He added: "Too many children still take up smoking. We must create an atmosphere which encourages children to adopt a healthy lifestyle."