A NEW self-help course is about to be launched in Tavistock, which could give hope to those who have tried unsuccessfully to give up smoking. The Smoking Advice Service, run by Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon Primary Care Trust, is starting a new weekly Quit Smoking group in the town ? and if previous successes in Plymouth are anything to go by, it could be the opportunity for some smokers to finally give up the evil weed for good. The course, which will be run by specialist quit smoking adviser Beverley Desborough, will take the form of six weekly sessions, to be based at the Alexander Centre. Beverley said: ?It works a bit like Weight Watchers in a way. On week one, they come along and get quite a lot of information about the various types of nicotine replacement products they can use and they get their carbon monoxide levels measured. ?We get them sorted out with a letter for their GP for an eight-week course of whichever nicotine replacement they choose, which is free if they don?t pay for prescriptions ? even if they do it?s cheaper than buying them over the counter.? Beverley said at the week two session, the group members all smoke their last cigarette together before embarking on their new non-smoking campaign. During following weeks, the group members have their nicotine levels measured and share their non-smoking experiences and tips, before a celebratory meeting at the end of six weeks, when the successful non-smokers are given a certificate. Beverley said the quit smoking groups she has run in Plymouth have been ?very successful?. ?In percentage terms it adds about 20% to your chances of being successful, compared with quitting without support,? she said. ?The essential thing is the support and motivation you get from being with other people and not doing it on your own. ?Coming back every week and knowing you?re going to get your levels measured and seeing them improve is very motivational. ?The whole ethos of the programme is to motivate ? we don?t spend much time going into the negative aspects ? everybody knows the bad side of smoking ? the aim is to be positive and encouraging, and people do do very well. ?We have had a 100% quit rate in some cases, which is exceptional, but a good average is 60-70% quitting.? The first Quit Smoking session will take place at 10am on Tuesday May 10 and will last until 11.30am. The following five sessions will last for just an hour ? they are all free. ?If anybody is interested but thinking they would really like to do it in the evening, we would be happy to get an evening course organised,? said Beverley. Anyone who would like to join the group should call Beverley Desborough on 01752 314040 to book a place or find out more.