SMOKERS in Bolton should be targeted with new hard-hitting health warnings, according to a Euro MP.

The Bolton area has the third highest lung cancer death rate in the North-west and Liberal Democrat Euro MP Chris Davies is desperate to tackle the problem with tough new messages on cigarette packets.

In the latest figures available from the Department of Health, the Wigan and Bolton Health Authority area recorded 362 deaths from lung cancer.

Only South Cheshire with 388 and Liverpool with 434 had more deaths.

Bury and Rochdale fared better with 240 lung cancer deaths.

More than a third of the population smoke in the Wigan and Bolton health area (35.4 per cent), but even more (39.2 per cent) smoke in Bury and Rochdale.

The huge number of smokers and related health problems in the region has prompted Mr Davies to call for tough new laws. The MEP says tobacco manufacturers should be forced to devote half the space on cigarette packs to giving information about the dangers of the product, as well as giving advice to smokers on how to kick their habit.

He wants Europe to follow the lead of Canada, which will introduce new cigarette pack regulations later this year.

If his amendments to a draft Sale of Tobacco Directive being considered by the European Parliament are agreed, cigarette packets would carry a specific statement that smoking can cause male sexual impotence.

They would also carry warnings pointing to the health risks to unborn babies and small children and the early death of smokers from lung cancer, mouth cancer and heart disease.

Mr Davies said: "Smokers should be free to continue their habit if they so choose, but governments must ensure that the health warnings are as explicit as possible, so that no one can pretend they don't know the risks." He added: "It is disturbing that the number of young smokers is rising. Health concerns may not matter much to this age group, but I hope the warning about future sexual impotence will make it easier for non-smokers to resist peer pressure to start."

MEPs on the European Parliament consumer affairs committee are expected to vote on the issue next Thursday.

A spokesman for Wigan and Bolton Health Authority said: "We welcome any government moves which help to get the message across about the risks of smoking."

Health authority officials were so concerned about the scale of smoking and health problems in the area that they set up a Smoking Cessation project to help people give up.

Since it started about a third of smokers who attended sessions at Lever Chambers in Bolton town centre have kicked the habit.