SMOKING mortality rates in the South-West are lower than the UK average, Public Health England says.

New statistics show deaths caused by tobacco are 13.5% lower than the rest of the country.

The smoking mortality rate in the region stands at 253 deaths per 100,000 people, compared to the average of 292 deaths.

But the data also shows one in nine adults in the region will die early of a smoking-related illness, such as heart disease, stroke or cancer.