CHILD smokers across East Lancashire are set to be given nicotine patches to help them quit as part of a new schools health drive.

The move came as it was revealed pupils as young as eight had asked for support as they tried to kick the habit.

Health bosses are working on a scheme to give the patches to high school pupils within the next year after monitoring a pilot scheme in County Durham. And schools themselves are being urged to clamp down much harder on pupils caught smoking or with cigarettes on them in school.

Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust both say that tackling under-age smoking is a top priority.

Nationally, around 22per cent of the population smoke. In East Lancashire, the figure is nearer 40per cent.

Health officials now believe the best way to bring down that figure -- and corresponding cancer deaths -- is to help children stop smoking at an early age.

The scheme launched in County Durham last term involved patches being handed out to pupils diagnosed as being regular smokers via breath tests.

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen PCT, which works with Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT on smoking cessation, said: "Young people actively seeking help for smoking habits are aged between eight to 18 and we are tailoring support with schools to fit those ages."

Projects involving schools due to begin in September include making advice more readily available on where to turn to for help.

A tobacco control manager has also been appointed to help enforcement and support.

And in the future, youngsters who have quit smoking will be encouraged to become mentors for fellow students who want to kick the habit.

A spokeswoman for anti-tobacco group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said: "In certain circumstances it seems quite reasonable to offer these patches to children if they are clearly showing signs of addiction. There is no reason they shouldn't be given the same support as adults."

A spokesman for the smokers' lobby group Forest, said: "I don't think anyone wants to see children smoking."

Coun Dave Hollings, portfolio holder for education on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We have always wanted to make sure that school isn't just about the education of young people in terms of books but about preparing them for life."

Coun Paul McGurty, a Tory councillor on Blackburn with Darwen, said: "The council should also be doing spot checks to find out who is selling cigarettes to so many young people. The thought of an eight-year-old smoking is horrendous."

For information and help to stop smoking call 0800 00 22 00