SMOKERS are being urged to become quitters in the lead up to national No Smoking Day.

Smoking cessation advisors across North Yorkshire are gearing up to support smokers who want to take the first steps towards kicking the habit for good in the run up to Wednesday, March 11.

Studies show that two-thirds of smokers want to quit – but nearly one fifth of adults in Yorkshire and the Humber still smoke and it remains the nation’s biggest killer, causing about 80,000 deaths in England every year.

Half of long-term smokers die prematurely from a smoking related disease.

This year’s national No Smoking Day theme is Proud to be a Quitter, said county councillor Don Mackenzie.

He said: “In life we’re told never to give up, to keep going – but when it comes to smoking, being a quitter is a good thing.

“We understand that the majority of smokers want to stop smoking, but many find the task too daunting.

“The county council funds the local New You NHS Smokefree service and it has specialist stop smoking advisors who are ready to support anyone who wants to quit."

The team of advisors offer a range of weekly one-to-one and drop-in sessions in community centres across the district, including Northallerton, Bedale, Catterick.

There is also a dedicated smoking in pregnancy service offering individually tailored behavioural support to women and their partners or family members as they prepare for the arrival of their baby.

For more information call 0300 3031603, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Smokers can also search ‘Smokefree’ online to order a free support; visit nosmokingday.org.uk; and follow on Twitter using the hashtag #NoSmokingDay.