SMOKING kills around 500 people a year in Bury, it has been revealed.

The shocking figure emerged as a new TV advert is released showing how poisons from tar in cigarettes cause damage to major organs within seconds.

In the Public Health England's ad, smokers are urged to take advantage of the free help on offer to help them quit.

Lesley Jones, director of public health in Bury, outlined the horrific impact of smoking on people's health. She said: “Smoking is a deadly habit and each year it kills around 500 people in Bury and in 2014-16 the number of potential years of life lost due to smoking related illness in Bury was 4,727 years. The dangers of continuing to smoke are clear, with 35 people being admitted to hospital in Bury every week throughout 2015 due to smoking.

“Our new TV ad shows how every cigarette sends a flood of poisonous chemicals through the bloodstream in seconds. We are urging every smoker in Bury to take advantage of the free Smokefree support and quit for good this New Year.”

shows how poisons from tar in cigarettes spreads around the body within seconds and causes damage to major organs.

In Bury, 1,792 people were admitted to hospital in 2015/16 with a smoking related illness.

As part of the advert, a group of seven lifelong smokers declare their intention to quit after seeing the results of a lab demonstration. The test results show how their smoking has led to elevated levels of cadmium (a metal used in batteries), cancer-causing nitrosamines and carbon monoxide in their blood.

Dr Dawn Harper, a GP from Gloucester, explains the results of the tests to the smokers and how the quality of their blood would start to improve when they quit.

Dr Dawn Harper, GP and medical journalist, says: “I see the damaging effects of smoking in my surgery almost every day. Tar from cigarettes causes damage to major organs, the bones and increases your risk of a range of cancers and diseases. But, the good news is that no matter how long you’ve smoked, quitting can reduce your chances of developing cancer, heart and lung disease and other serious smoking-related illnesses. Some of the benefits are almost immediate, with improved energy and breathing within a matter of days.

Free personalised ‘stop smoking’ support is available locally via the Bury Lifestyle Service. For more information call 0161 253 7554 or email lifestyleservice@bury.gov.uk

Smokefree provides motivation, information and support for smokers who want to stop. Just search ‘Smokefree’ for free support and advice to help you quit smoking. www.nhs.uk/smokefree