SMOKING is a criminal offence, children are banned from eating sweets and ice cream and playground hide and seek is replaced by gym classes - a gross exaggeration perhaps, of where we may end up. But changes announced in this week's government's White Paper on Public Health are enough to strike fear into the heart of every burger-loving exercise-loathing couch potato across East Lancashire. Will this strict regime actually change our lives? CAROLINE DUTTON reports. . .

THIS week the government told us smokers were to be booted out of our cafes, restaurants and most pubs, junk food adverts may be banished beyond the 9pm TV watershed to protect kids from temptation and an action plan would be drawn up to sot out soaring rates of sexual disease.

But will health services in East Lancashire be able to cope if the proposals are introduced?

Thankfully it seems we can rest assured - health bosses claim East Lancashire has already implemented massive changes.

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) covering Blackburn with Darwen; Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale; and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley have joined forces and have been quietly working away on ground-breaking schemes - with some impressive results.

One of the biggest successes a newly-formed team has enjoyed is its work with people wanting to give up smoking. With the help of locally-run support groups, nearly 1,500 people across the area have been helped to kick the habit this year -- 50 per cent more than last year's total.

Almost £200,000 has been earmarked for helping quitters and the control of tobacco over the next 18 months, including free morning, lunchtime, afternoon and evening support sessions.

The PCTs seem to have healthy eating programmes stitched up too, and are running dozens of schemes to tackle obesity and diet-related health problems.

A newly-introduced Five-a-Day scheme has been set up to promote awareness of how eating five portions of fruit and veg every day can help beat heart disease and some cancers.

Exercise is another area the three PCTs are focusing on to help whip their subjects in shape.

Borough councils have been recruited to help out by running a series of local walks led by trained leaders through nearby countryside in the Stepping Out programme

And doctors can now prescribe free gym membership to patients at risk of diet-related illness.

Dr Ells Friedman, director of public health for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT, acting on behalf of all three PCTs, said although they have achieved much over the last year, there is still work to do.

He added: "Smoking, obesity, alcoholism and sexually transmitted disease are all far too common in East Lancashire."

New schemes are being planned, but youngsters in Bank Top, Blackburn, have already benefited from a new healthy living drop-in centre opened in Blackburn Bank Top community centre in February. An area within the centre has been transformed into an internet cafe encouraging youngsters to visit the warm and friendly environment where they can get advice on health issues.

Project co-ordinator Abdul Mulla said: "We carry out musical workshops with children in local schools and youth clubs on health topics such as healthy eating, smoking and the dangers of drugs.

"Using art, music and other methods means young people want to learn topics relating to themselves because they can be creative and show others what they have learnt."

To find out more about smoking cessation meetings call 01254 358095.