ONE in five Plymouth children regularly smoke by the age of 16, according to a survey of the city's young people.

The figures have been released to back a national drive to slash the country's smoking rates in half – from 21 to 10 per cent by 2020.

The Government published its strategy 'A Smokefree Future' this month.

According to the latest NHS figures, about 27 per cent of adults in Plymouth smoke, although the proportion is much higher in more deprived areas, such as Devonport at 42 per cent.

A survey of 2,000 young people across the city has found that about 20 per cent were regularly lighting up by the age of 16.

Children defined 'regularly' as meaning on a daily basis.

Twenty five per cent of those questioned, between the ages of 10 and 16, said they had tried a cigarette.

The report was conducted by city community organisation Routeways.

Jane Bullard, Plymouth NHS Stop Smoking Service tobacco control lead, said: "The tobacco industry needs to recruit 100,000 new smokers every year to replace those who die or quit. Young people can very rapidly develop an addiction and this can last a lifetime.

"Preventing this uptake in young people will have long-lasting implications for both health and economic well being as we know the vast majority of smokers take up smoking before the age of 18."

Plymouth Smokefree Alliance, made up of the city council, NHS and other bodies, is officially relaunching in March to help reduce smoking rates in the city.

Ms Bullard said it is backing the Government's ne w strategy, which includes key aims:

Stopping young people being recruited as smokers by cracking down on cheap illicit cigarettes.

Every smoker being able to get help from the NHS to suit them if they want to give up – new types of support being made available at times and in places that suit smokers.

Stopping the sale of tobacco from vending machines – a significant source of tobacco for young people.

Protecting everyone, especially children, from the harms of second-hand smoke by promoting smokefree homes and cars, and reviewing smokefree law.

Ms Bullard said working closely with schools and parents is also key to stopping the increase in young people smoking.

She said the city's Stop Smoking Service is working with Plymouth City Council to pilot more innovative ways of quitting.

Research is underway to identify how smokers want to access the support available, for example in a city centre shop or on the telephone.

Ms Bullard added that smoking in pregnancy remains a major concern, although last year rates were brought down from about 20 per cent to 16.9 per cent due to two specialist pregnancy stop smoking advisors.

The Plymouth Smokefree Alliance is holding a relaunch event on March 4 and will discuss the impact of the Government strategy in the city.