NO Smoking Day 2016 takes place today (Wednesday March 9) – and local people are being urged to take their first step towards giving up the habit for good by contacting the Devon Stop Smoking Service for support.

The annual No Smoking Day campaign is now in its 33rd year and the theme this time is Proud to be a Quitter.

While studies show that two thirds of smokers want to quit, nearly one in five adults in the UK continue to smoke.

The NHS-led Devon Stop Smoking Service, which is based at the Culm Valley Integrated Centre for Health in Cullompton, offers free, friendly and confidential support via e-mail, telephone and face to face.

Greg Price, service manager, said: “We understand that the majority of smokers want to stop smoking, but many find the task too daunting.

“No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire smokers in Mid Devon to quit for good.

“With support, smokers are more likely to succeed in their quit attempt.

“That’s why we’re pledging our full support to No Smoking Day, educating smokers on the range of local services and resources available to them.

“Quitting smoking provides life-changing benefits, so make this the day you start to stop.

“Please call us today on 01884 836024 or e-mail us at ndht.stopsmoking@nhs.net.”

No Smoking Day is run by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and is supported by Public Health England and many other organisations.

Dr Mike Knapton, associate medical director at the BHF, said: “Giving up smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health, and that’s why the British Heart Foundation runs No Smoking Day.

“We’re encouraging smokers to mark Wednesday March 9 in their calendars and take the first step towards a smoke-free life.”

The Devon Stop Smoking Service runs free weekly clinics at a variety of venues across the county, where people can have appointments lasting 20 to 60 minutes with a specialist adviser.

In Mid Devon, clinics take place at:

• Crediton Hospital – Wednesday (9am to 1pm)

• Culm Valley Integrated Centre for Health, Cullompton – Monday (4pm to 6.30pm)

• Tiverton and District Hospital – Tuesday (2pm to 6pm) The clinics are not ‘drop-in’ sessions and anyone interested in attending must book in advance.

Email and telephone support is available in the evening, as well as during the day.

The service is run by Health Promotion Devon, a specialist arm of the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Its advisers support around 1,000 people to quit smoking each year and their success rates are among the best in the country.

For more information about No Smoking Day, visit www.nosmokingday.org.uk.