FEWER Lancashire teenagers are drinking and smoking but one in 20 has taken a “legal high”, a major survey has revealed.

Commissioned by Trading Standards North West, the study looked into the smoking and drinking habits of 7,000 young people aged 14 -17 across the North West.

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The survey received responses from 2,185 teenagers from across the Lancashire County Council area which includes the boroughs of Hyndburn, Burnley, Ribble Valley, Pendle, Rossendale and Chorley.

Blackburn with Darwen borough is still analysing its result but a spokeswoman described them as “similarly promising”.

Lancashire county cabinet member for health and wellbeing and Nelson South councillor Azhar Ali, has released the results for the authority area.

The survey follows on from similar studies carried out every two years across the North West since 2005 and its findings include: l 41 per cent say that they never drink alcohol against 13 per cent in 2005.

l More than one in twenty of the young people have tried New Psychoactive Substances, so-called "legal highs".

l Only 11 per cent of young people currently smoke, down from 16 per cent in 2013.

l Reductions in young people claiming to buy their own alcohol although 60 per cent say that their parents or guardians provide them it; l The percentage drinking alcohol at least once a week has fallen to 11 per cent from 16 per cent in 2013; l One in 20 say they drink on the streets, down from 40 per cent in 2007; and l A third (37 per cent) say they have tried e-cigarettes, with 17 per cent saying they have used shisha at least once or twice.

Coun Ali said: “I am very encouraged by the results, which show that Lancashire is heading in the right direction and we will continue to support our young people to choose not to drink.

“It is concerning that over one in twenty young people are putting their health at risk by experimenting with New Psychoactive Substances.

“However, I am disappointed that well over half of young people who drink alcohol say that their own parents supply them with it.”