THE campaign for a Smoke Free North-East has recruited some high-profile business people.

Olivia Grant, chairwoman of the University of Newcastle, Alistair Balls, chief executive of Newcastle's Centre for Life, and Tom Knight, non-executive director of Ultimate Leisure, have added their backing to the campaign.

Each has declared their support at a critical time, as MPs will today debate a complete smoking ban during the second of three readings.

The Fresh Campaign for a Smoke-Free North East has collected figures showing that 35 people in the region die each year from the effects of second-hand smoke in the workplace.

Without a total ban, it says, 80 per cent of pubs in some of the poorest parts of the North-East would be able to continue as smoking venues just because they did not serve food, further widening the health inequalities between the region and the rest of the country.

Incidences of and death rates for cancers of the lung, larynx, lip, mouth and pharynx are already higher in the North-East than the national average.

Ms Grant said: "From a business perspective, billions of pounds are lost every year through sick days caused by illnesses related to both smoking and second-hand smoke.

"Given the importance of competitiveness to the region and our economy, any steps which would support increas- ed productivity should be taken."