SMOKERS wanting to kick the habit are being urged to get help from their local pharmacists.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is advising people wanting to quit on No Smoking Day - Wednesday - to take advantage of expert advice and support at pharmacies.
The society says pharmacists can help smokers create a plan to quit and provide products to help them.
Mirfield pharmacist Dr Gill Hawksworth, who is the society's national president, said: "Pharmacists have an important role to play in supporting people who want to stop smoking.
"Giving up requires planning, encouragement, support and motivation.
"There is strong evidence to suggest that the support offered by pharmacists, together with nicotine replacement therapies, are a very effective combination."
Organisers of No Smoking Day say 70% of smokers want to quit. Reasons include health fears, the high cost, dislike of being addicted to a habit and being disgusted by it.
Last year, 1.25m smokers gave up on No Smoking Day.
Some 120,000 UK smokers die due to their habit every year.
This is roughly six times more people than are killed in road accidents, other accidents, poisoning, murder, manslaughter, suicide and HIV infection put together.
