SWEETS containing tobacco are putting children at risk of cancer, health officials have warned.

Darlington Primary Care Trust is warning the town's South Asian community that chewing paan, a mixture of tobacco and betel nut, can cause head and neck cancer in later life because it contains carcinogens.

Darcy Brown, the trust's smoking cessation specialist, said: "Some members of the South Asian community chew paan. The way it is packaged is appealing to children and they are often not discouraged from chewing paan.

"By keeping it in the mouth for long periods next to the gums the tobacco constituents are absorbed into the system as they are when you smoke. This drastically increases the chances of developing head and neck cancer."

The trust estimates there are about 50 Asian families in the town.

Mr Brown said others were at risk of the disease, which affects the mouth, tongue, ears, nose, gullet, voice box and jaw.

Anyone who smokes is four times more likely to develop the virulent forms of cancer. Nationally, the incidence in all women has increased almost 50 per cent over the past four years.

"Head and neck cancer is strongly associated with drinking and smoking and has traditionally been more prevalent in people aged over 40. But we are starting to notice it in the younger age range nowadays. It can result in disfiguring surgery, skin grafts and loss of speech," said Mr Brown.

The trust is working with County Durham Community Dental Service and the Cancer Care Alliance to warn patients about the disease.