MORE than 4,000 people in Devon quit smoking last year, with the help of the NHS Devon stop smoking service.

MORE than 4,000 people in Devon quit smoking last year, with the help of the NHS Devon stop smoking service.

It runs weekly stop smoking clinics, where people can get one-to-one support.

Sidmouth's centre is at Sidmouth Hospital on Tuesdays from 2-4pm.

Dr Virginia Pearson, director of public health at NHS Devon, said: "Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do to improve your health.

"We have exceeded our quit smoking target over the past three years.

"Half of all people who use their local NHS stop smoking service are not smoking four weeks later.

"We have carried out local research in an effort to find out the factors that influence smokers to quit and we have reorganised the way stop smoking services are available.

"Smokers can get the help they need through a range of health professionals including specialist health trainers and advisors, and through GP surgeries and pharmacies."

More than one in three young people in the south west aged 16-24 smoke more than any other area in England.

In addition, 21 per cent of adults in the south west smoke, the same as the national average.

Centres are at:

Pinhoe America Hall, Mon 10am-12pm

NHS walk-in centre, Exeter, Tue 9am-1pm, Wed 10.30am-1.30pm, Fri 10am-1pm

Fitness First, Exeter, Thu 4-7pm

St Sidwell's Centre, Exeter, Thu 11am-1pm

Wonford Community and Learning Centre, Thu 9.30am-1.30pm

Buddle Lane Youth Centre, St Thomas, Exeter, Fri 10am-12pm

Exeter Orthodontic Practice, Fri 2pm-4pm

Honiton Hospital, Mon 2.30-5.30pm

Seaton Hospital, Tue 10am-12pm

Sidmouth Hospital, Tue 2-4pm

Withycombe Centre, Exmouth, Tue 1-3pm

Willand Village Hall, Mon 4-6.30pm

Tiverton Hospital, Tue, 4.30-7.30pm

Culm Valley Integrated Centre for Health, Wed 10am-12pm

Crediton Hospital, Fri 2-5pm