HEALTH staff in Darlington have joined the growing lobby fighting to put an end to second-hand smoking.

Three times more people die from the effects of passive smoking than are killed in industrial accidents.

In a public health drive, Darlington Primary Care Trust has joined forces with Darlington Borough Council, Darlington Partnership and the regional health group Smoke Free North-East, producing a special postcard for people to sign urging the Government to ban smoking at work.

The move follows growing dissatisfaction with proposals to allow smoking in pubs and clubs that do not serve food.

The trust's stop smoking advisor, Darcy Brown, said: "About 200 people a year are killed in industrial accidents, while 600 die from the effects of second-hand smoke.

"These are all avoidable deaths at virtually no cost to employers and can improve productivity through reduced illness."

He said the aim was to see no exemptions to a complete ban and to achieve the gold standard in the National Clean Air Awards, which would not allow smoking in any primary care trust building, either inside or in the grounds.

The blue and yellow postcards are available across the town. They should be completed and returned to the walk-in health centre in King Street before September 5.