Polluted air 'poisoning thousands' across north of England, warns report

Air pollution is 'the tobacco of the 21st century' says report, which calls on government to introduce radical measures to improve air quality

Dangerous levels of air pollution in towns and cities across the north of England are threatening the health of hundreds of thousands of people and stifling economic growth, according to a new report.

The analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) North describes air pollution as "the tobacco of the 21st century" and says that while there has been a growing concern about the problem in London, many residents in regional towns and cities are unaware of the threat to their health.