CORONARY heart disease (CHD) and cancer are the most common causes of premature death in Hounslow, according to statistics published today in Hounslow Primary Care Trust's first annual Public Health Report, launched on national No Smoking Day'.

Both illnesses are also among the top killers nationally.

CHD and a variety of cancers can be caused or exacerbated by smoking. The PCT is encouraging people who smoke to kick the habit by contacting its free smoking cessation service.

Statistics in the PCT's report, show that coronary heart disease and cancer are the most common causes of premature death.

A similar report carried out by SmokeFree London and the London Health Observatory show that the deaths of one in four London males, and one in eight females, can be directly linked to smoking.

It also estimates that 1,100 London hospital beds are taken up each day by people with illnesses linked to smoking.

The free cessation service shared with Ealing and Hammersmith and Fulham PCTs has a remarkable success rate, with two in three users managing to quit smoking for good.

As part of the campaign a PCT No Smoking Day bus visited Hounslow Civic Centre on Wednesday to give advice to smokers, aided by the Tasha Foundation.

Gordana Djuric, Director of Public Health for the PCT, said: "Smoking kills. The link between smoking and illnesses like CHD, cancer and stroke is proven beyond doubt. If you want to give up, it's worth using the smoking cessation service.

"Joining is easy just ring 020 8321 2321 or ask your GP, pharmacist, health visitor, midwife or district nurse to refer you to the smoking cessation service. It won't cost you anything and it may save your life."

Other findings mentioned in the PCT report show that the mortality rate for the area is slightly higher than the national average, incidences of TB more than double between 1997 and 2002, but the rates of accidental death and suicide were below the national average.

Gordana Djuric added: "Hounslow faces a number of specific challenges in terms of public health and a great deal of work is already underway to address them.

"We have to take account of the level of deprivation in some parts of Hounslow, as deprivation is a major cause of health inequalities.

"We also need to be aware of the differing needs of different communities within Hounslow and to ensure that we have services which are accessible to all of our communities."