PUBLIC health experts have gathered in the North-East to find solutions to tobacco and alcohol issues that cost the NHS millions of pounds annually.

The first national conference of its kind will bring together organisations deemed to be leading the way in tackling addictions to smoking and drinking in the region.

The conference will be jointly hosed by Balance, the North-East’s alcohol office, and Fresh, the regional tobacco control office, alongside the national Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies.

International experts from as far afield as Australia will discuss the region’s progress during the last decade, with 189,000 fewer smokers in the North-East, compared to 2005.

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: “Falls in death rates from major diseases linked to smoking is just one example of where our region is improving faster than anywhere else in the country.

“This is making a real difference to real lives.

“Still though, every year, too many people are watching their loved ones suffer and die an early death from smoking.

“More questions need to be asked about the role of the industries who profit so much but cause so much ill health.”

The North-East remains the only region in the country to have seen consistent falls in alcohol-related hospital admissions with a five per cent drop in the area, compared to a five per cent increase nationally.

The conference will be held in Newcastle today (Wednesday, September 28) and tomorrow with input from Action on Smoking and Health, YouGov, world expert in tobacco control Professor Mike Daube from Australia.

The Alcohol Health Alliance, Institute of Alcohol Studies and London NHS Clinical Senate will also be represented alongside experts from the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies.