TEENAGERS and young adults are being told to quit smoking - because it makes them less attractive.

A survey, carried out by the NHS Smoking Helpline, revealed that smoking is the single biggest turn-off for 18 to 35-year-olds in the North-west.

More than two thirds of the people questioned said smoking was unattractive and would damage the chances of someone becoming a long-term partner.

Almost a quarter of people from the region said they had turned a potential partner down because they smoked.

The results are thought to be down to a greater awareness of the health risks associated with smoking and smoking becoming more socially unacceptable.

A third of all women said smokers' attractiveness is reduced by the prospect of less enjoyable sex, with approximately half associating smoking with having less stamina, and being unfit. One-third of men also said increased risk of impotence could damage male attractiveness to the female sex.

Nearly half of all men surveyed associated smoking with wrinkles, bad skin, and less enjoyable kissing.

More than half of the 1,013 people surveyed in the North-west said smoking makes a man look "uncool" and a similar figure said they believed being considered unattractive would motivate smokers to give up.

From 52,000 smokers in the North-west, 25,000 gave up successfully last year using local stop smoking services.

Research has shown smokers are four times more likely to give up if they use their local service, along with nicotine replacement therapy.

For help or information on giving up smoking, call Fresh Focus on 01204 360008 or the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0169 or visit www.givingupsmoking.co.uk.