Kids smoking beats the 70s

THE number of child smokers is increasing – with 11 to 15 year olds more likely to smoke cigs now than in the 1970s.

One-in-five European smokers start before 15 when it causes most damage to developing organs – raising the risk of disease years later.

Dr Alessandro Marcon, of Verona University, Italy, called on countries to intensify control measures.

He said: “Youngsters are particularly vulnerable to nicotine addiction.”