SMOKING could be banned in public places in York, North and East Yorkshire, to tackle some of the highest levels of health problems in the country.

A major Department of Health study published today, shows that 10,000 people in Yorkshire die prematurely each year from smoking-related diseases.

Our Region; Our Health, reveals that smoking, poor diet and obesity are all contributing towards serious health inequalities. A baby born in Bradford can expect to die almost five years earlier than one born in Ryedale.

Reductions in salt and fat in processed food could also be introduced, if the situation is to improve.

The report is part of a region-wide health consultation. It will support the national consultation on public health launched by Health Secretary John Reid.

A final document will be published in September, setting out recommendations to improve the region's health.

Among the recommendations could be that public places in Yorkshire should become smoke-free zones.

The report finds that:

The region has the second-lowest proportion of adults eating five or more portions of fruit or vegetables a day.

There are 650,000 visits to hospital each year in Yorkshire and the Humber, due to alcohol abuse.

Levels of physical activity are lower than the national average. Only 28.3 per cent of adults do enough physical activity to benefit their health.

A quarter of people in the region are obese.

Yorkshire has the highest level of fuel poverty. About 13 per cent of households do not have central heating.

Director of public health for Yorkshire and Humber, Paul Johnstone, said: "There are some serious challenges ahead if this situation is to improve."

Updated: 10:51 Wednesday, March 03, 2004