Extra stop smoking sessions are being laid on for smokers in North Yorkshire and York looking to kick the habit for the New Year.

The North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service offers smoking cessation programmes, run by specialist smoking advisors and has an excellent success rate of helping people to become and remain non-smokers. The Service can also give information on services that are available through trained advisors at GP practices and pharmacies.

In York, around 23% of adults are smokers and in North Yorkshire, around 18% of adults are smokers. It is thought around half of all regular cigarette smokers will eventually be killed by their addiction.

There are three ways that people can access free NHS smoking cessation services:

1. Call the North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service on 0300 303 1603 or visit www.northyorkshireandyork.nhs.uk and click on ‘Staying Healthy’
2. See a registered smoking cessation advisor at your GP practice
3. Some local community pharmacists provide enhanced smoking cessation services (a list of these is available on the PCT’s website)

Margaret Hewitson, from the North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service, said: “Fewer than 10% of people who set New Year's resolutions actually achieve them. We can help people looking to make the one New Year’s resolution worth keeping this year – going smoke free. It’s the best thing you can do for your long-term health.

“From January 2011, we are arranging for more quit programmes to run in North Yorkshire and York to increase access for people looking to go smoke free in the New Year.

“In the first few weeks of stopping when withdrawal symptoms can be at their worst we offer encouragement, tips on dealing with cravings and access to stop smoking medication.

“Getting help from the North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service can be up to four times more effective than willpower alone – so give yourself the best possible chance!”

To find out more about quitting smoking locally, visit www.northyorkshireandyork.nhs.uk and click on ‘Staying Healthy’.