The Government has launched a publicity campaign

Figures show a third of all accidental deaths are caused by cigarettes.

In 2000 there were more deaths caused by such fires in Greater Manchester than anywhere else in the UK outside London.

Deaths have doubled from two to four since 2000 in Merseyside while in Lancashire the number of fires fell but deaths rose.

Four people died in the county in 2000 but that figure increased to five in 2002.

And in Cheshire there were 45 fires in 2002, resulting in two deaths.

The government has launched a "Put it out - right out" campaign in a bid to tackle the problem.

It aims to highlight how easily fires can start with just one cigarette and end with tragic results.