A HEALTH specialist has criticised a tobacco company for promoting cheap cigarettes in the North-East, branding them as 'cut price poison'.

Darcy Brown, of Darlington NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT), made his comments about a promotion that took place in several pubs across the region earlier just over a week ago.

The promotion was run by Philip Morris International, the makers of Marlboro cigarettes, which was selling its newer, cheaper brand Basic.

Company representatives were selling packets of 20 for £2 and 10 for £1.

Mr Brown is not only concerned that the cheap prices may have encouraged people to smoke more, but said the brand could lead to even more health risks than regular makes.

He said: "This is bad news. Although this brand is made by the same company who make Marlboro, it is a cheaper brand and contains more tar. This means they are even more dangerous for the smoker and passive smokers too.

"With a cheap brand like this, passive smokers would only have to be exposed to the fumes for 30 minutes before blood platelets are affected, and this could lead to heart defects and strokes.

"What they could do to the smokers themselves is not worth thinking about. Simply, it is cut-price poison."

Mr Brown said the company was not doing anything illegal and said he recognised that promotions for cheap cigarettes often took place.

He said: "Obviously, the PCT would like to see a move towards public places becoming smoke-free.

"However, promotions like this tempt young people, or those with low incomes, and they may only worry about the consequences when it is too late."

One venue to stage the promotion was Bar Size, in Skinnergate, in Darlington town centre.

A spokesman said: "We simply let the company use our premises for its promotion, like several other pubs in the area did.

"I had no idea this brand posed a bigger health threat than other makes. Had we have known, we would have pulled the promotion. I will be in touch with the company representatives and, if they confirm there is more tar in this make than other brands, we will make sure we don't sell this product in the future."

The Northern Echo made numerous attempts to contact Philip Morris International but no calls were returned.