THE North-East has some of the worst areas in the country for smoking rates among young people, according to new research.

About one in six 15 year olds in the North-East are regular or occasional smokers which means that the region has six entries in the worst 10 areas (South Tyneside 16.27 per cent, Gateshead 15.92 per cent, Hartlepool 15.87 per cent, Sunderland 15.45 per cent, Newcastle 15.34 per cent, Northumberland 15.31 per cent.

In total it has nine in the worst 20 areas (including County Durham 15.09, Redcar and Cleveland 15.06 and North Tyneside 14.99 per cent).

North Yorkshire is in 27th place (with rates of 14.8 per cent) and Darlington is 31st (14.71 per cent).

Nationally an estimated 12.71 per cent of 15-year-olds are regular or occasional smokers.

Areas with the lower estimates were concentrated in Greater London, including Harrow (5.15 per cent).

The study was commissioned by Public Health England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), and was created using modelling provided by the universities of Portsmouth and Southampton.

A Portsmouth University spokeswoman said: "The data will help local organisations to respond to high levels of smoking within their areas."

She said that nearly eight million people still smoke, with 90 per cent having started before the age of 19.

Professor Kevin Fenton, national director health and wellbeing for Public Health England, said: "The estimates shine a light on communities where young people have a higher risk of smoking and will help local agencies to focus efforts where they are most needed.

"We want to secure a tobacco-free generation and these figures will help us towards this goal. Our most disadvantaged communities have the most to gain."

The study comes as the Government plans to bring in plain packaging for cigarettes.