A SUFFOLK clergyman has launched a new front in the war on smoking – by demanding that cigarettes are renamed cancerettes.

Rev Charles Mugleston, from Witnesham, has launched the petition on the 10 Downing Street website – and could have the issue debated in parliament if he gets 100,000 signatories within the next year.

He pointed out that Richard Briers, in his last interview, said smoking had played its part in causing the emphysema that blighted his final years – and Mr Mugleston said smoking also caused lung cancer.

He said: “Having recently taken a burial service for a very fine man whose body was destroyed by lung cancer and seeing his wife, children and friends devastated – suffering much agony which could have been averted – I reflected on the situation.

“I came up with an idea which may help lessen the 100,000 (Statistic from Cancer Research UK) people who die every year in this country because of tobacco inhalation leading to lung cancer.

“The idea is very simple, and hopefully will prove effective. It is simply to rename cigarettes cancerettes - in the hope that it will make people think twice before they light up.”

Mr Mugleston accepted that there was a steep hill to climb before he could get the petition debated – but hoped that the case would be taken up by smoking charities.

He said: “If we could get some of the larger charities interested in this it could attract more signatories – you have to start somewhere!”

To sign the e-petition, go online to http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/45108