Voting is now under way for the Deborah Hutton Campaign’s Cut Films competition aimed at stopping young people from smoking.

Smoking remains one of the biggest health risks among people in London – and young children are continuing to take up the habit.

In Islington, 5.9 per cent of girls aged 11-15 smoke and four per cent of boys, figures from NHS North Central London reveal. Twenty-five per cent of adults smoke in the borough – the second highest rate among adults in London.

The competition asks teenagers to draw on their creative skills to write and produce a short film which discourages their peers from smoking for the first time.

Deborah Hutton was a highly-acclaimed journalist from Islington who died at the age of 49 from lung cancer. She had smoked as a young woman but had given up at the age of 24.

The charity set up in her name is aimed at making young people think twice and consider the consequences to their health later in life.

Clissold Park School in Ufton Road, Islington, has submitted two entries. One of the videos, entitled Death of Innocence, explores the dangers of passive smoking to youngsters.

The hard-hitting film is a first person account of a young man who dies from lung cancer, despite never touching a cigarette in his life.

Archant London – the publisher of the Gazette – is sponsoring the award for the best short film in London.

Twenty entries from schools and individuals from across the capital have been shortlisted and people can now vote for their favourite.

Judges include children’s writer Anthony Harowitz and GP and stop smoking specialist Dr Alex Bobak.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony at BAFTA in Piccadilly on July 5. Mr Harowitz and T4 TV presenter Will Best will host. Winning entrants could scoop Kindles, iPods and festival tickets.

n View the short films and cast your vote before Thursday May 4 at www.london24.com or www.cutfilms.org.