Campaign warns smoking causes 16 different types of cancer

Man smoking a cigarette Credit: PA

A new campaign called 'Quit 16' is warning that smoking causes 16 different types of cancer.

The Quit 16 campaign comes as new figures reveal how smoking caused more than 3000 new cases of cancer and more than 2000 deaths from cancer in the North East (figures from 2013)

It is being supported by a number of former smokers from the region who have experienced living with a smoking-related cancer. They are hoping that their stories will emphasise the dangers of smoking and encourage people to quit. They have been left with horrific scars and side-affects that mean life will never be the same again.

Maggie Bratton, from Northumberland, needed surgery and a plastic replacement for the roof of her mouth which she now cannot speak without. Watch her story below:

Tony Osborne, from Middlesbrough, now speaks using a valve in his neck after throat cancer. Watch his story below:

Deaths from smoking-related cancers in 2013:

  • County Durham 442

  • Northumberland 283

  • Gateshead 174

  • Newcastle 188

  • North Tyneside 181

  • South Tyneside 149

  • Sunderland 243

  • Hartlepool 74

  • Middlesbrough 107

  • Redcar and Cleveland 123

  • Stockton 143

  • Darlington 87

New cases of smoking-related cancers in 2013:

  • County Durham 595

  • Northumberland 402

  • Gateshead 251

  • Newcastle 291

  • North Tyneside 239

  • South Tyneside 192

  • Sunderland 326

  • Hartlepool 105

  • Middlesbrough 154

  • Redcar and Cleveland 186

  • Stockton 214

  • Darlington 123