STARTLING new figures reveal smoking is continuing to kill thousands of people across the North-East.

Research published today shows smoking caused 3,077 new cases of cancer and 2,192 deaths from cancer throughout the region in 2013.

The figures were revealed for the launch of a hard-hitting campaign warning that smoking causes 16 different types of cancer.

Fresh’s Quit 16 campaign, supported by Cancer Research UK, aims to highlight the toll smoking takes on families across the UK.

It suggests the real impact of smoking is little known, with a survey of North-East smokers showing one third of them could not name a cancer caused by smoking without prompting.

Besides lung cancer, the habit can lead to cancers of the mouth, nasal cavities, pharynx and larynx, stomach, kidney, bowel, liver, pancreas, cervix, bladder and ovaries, oesophagus and ureter as well as myeloid leukaemia.

Former smokers are backing the new campaign in a bid to warn others of the consequences of not quitting.

Supporters include Dave McKenna, 66, from Staithes, who lost his hearing after mouth cancer treatment and Tony Osbourne from Middlesbrough who must speak using a valve in his neck following throat cancer.

Former teacher Mr McKenna, who smoked two ounces of pipe tobacco a week prior to his diagnosis, underwent 28 sessions of radiotherapy and five of chemotherapy.

He said: “When I went to my first chemo session there were six other people there from the same village.

“We all looked at each other and didn’t need to say anything.

“Only two of us are alive now – I am one of the lucky ones.”

Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK’s head of health and patient information, said: “There’s a long list of damage caused by the toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke, including damage that can lead to cancer.

“While many people are aware of the link between smoking and lung cancer, this survey highlights that people are still unaware that it’s linked to many other cancers as well, including mouth, bowel and bladder cancer.

“The best thing smokers can do is give up - for their own health as well as their friends’ and family’s.

“Quitting can be extremely difficult, but it greatly reduces the risk of smoking-related cancers, as well as other illness such as heart and lung disease.”

For more information about local support while quitting, visit quit16.co.uk.