YORKSHIRE smokers are leading the way in kicking the habit, says a survey.

New Government figures show that Yorkshire has seen double the increase of smokers quitting compared to the national average.

Between April and June 16,621 Yorkshire smokers set a quit date with their NHS Stop Smoking Service. And after four weeks 8,713 were still smoke-free.

This represents a 24% increase in quitters compared to 2006. The national average increase is 12%.

In Kirklees, 1,373 people set a quit date and four weeks on 732 had kicked the habit.

Pat Hodgson, NHS regional tobacco policy manager for Yorkshire, said: “It’s great to see that so many smokers are now accessing the full range of services offered by the NHS to help them quit.”

The good news for Yorkshire comes as the NHS Smokefree campaign launches a DVD to help smokers choose which of the free NHS services will give them the best chance of beating their habit.

It shows smokers talking about how the different kinds of support worked to help them quit.

The DVD is being launched as part of the Send Off advert campaign, which is on air until November 11.

It shows the lengths smokers will go to in order to get rid of their last packet of cigarettes – such as putting them in garden shredders or strapping them to rockets.

Mrs Hodgson said the DVD would be a useful tool in convincing smokers to seek help.

She said: “By showing how the services actually work in the DVD we hope to convince even more smokers of the benefits of seeking help to stop smoking rather than trying to go it alone.

“Research shows that smokers are four times more likely to quite successfully if they use support than by relying on willpower alone.”

Smokers can order a copy of the DVD by pressing the red button on their remote during the TV advert or by calling the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169. The short films can also be viewed at www.gosmokefree.co.uk