RECORD numbers of Huddersfield smokers are trying to quit, according to latest figures.
Huddersfield's NHS Smoking Advice Service today revealed it had been inundated with smokers determined to kick the unhealthy habit.
The announcement comes as thousands more smokers prepare to ditch their cigarettes to take part in No Smoking Day tomorrow.
Lorraine Bradbury, manager of Huddersfield's smoking advice service, said: "Since we returned from the Christmas break we have seen a massive increase in the number of people wanting to stop smoking.
"January is always a busy time for us with people making new year's resolutions but this year it has been much busier than previous years and the volume of referrals is still high at the beginning of March.
"This is brilliant because it shows that local people are taking steps to improve their health."
The service - available at various locations across the town - has already helped more than 2,000 people since it was set up in 2000.
But today it emerged more than 270 smokers had accessed the service since January this year and advisers were currently seeing between 60 and 70 people a week.
Ms Bradbury said: "About 27% of adults in Huddersfield are smokers and research has shown two thirds would like to stop."
She encouraged people to join a third of the nation's smokers in giving up for No Smoking Day and announced two new stop smoking groups would be starting soon to support people in their attempts to quit.
Contact the local stop smoking service free on 0800 183 2056.
