Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT) and West Devon Borough Council are urging smokers to jump on the quitter's bandwagon and stub out their nicotine addiction for good.
In partnership with the borough council, the PCT is expanding its successful network of 'stop smoking advice' centres and has opened a branch at the Council's Okehampton Customer Services Centre in St James Street every Friday from 1pm to 3pm.
Organised on an appointment-only basis, people can arrange to see an adviser by calling 01626 357010 or
by emailing [email protected]">[email protected] and can also drop in to the Customer Services Centre to make the appointment.
The aim of the service is to provide weekly sessions for local people who are not able to access other NHS stop smoking sessions provided in the district.
Figures show that people are four times more likely to quit smoking with NHS support.
The service will be run by specialist stop smoking advisers, who will be on hand to provide support and encouragement to those people wanting to become smoke-free.
Advice on stopping smoking and types of nicotine replacement therapy will also be available.
Cllr Terry Pearce, mayor of West Devon, said: 'We are delighted to host yet another new service at our customer services centre.
'It's the first time we have joined forces with the PCT to provide such a service as this and shows how beneficial joined up working between different authorities can be.'
Stop Smoking Specialist Matt Seal said: 'People now have a greater choice of where to go for help.
'In addition to the support already available through general practitioners and community pharmacies, these weekly sessions will give people who are unable to get to their GP the help they need to give up smoking and have more chance of being successful than if they try to go it on their own.
'It can be difficult for some smokers to quit, but there are 11 million ex-smokers in the UK.
'Smokers can take confidence from that fact their odds of being successful in their quit attempt are increased if they access support through the PCT's stop smoking services.
'Helping a person to quit smoking is an important priority for the PCT and West Devon Borough Council, and both are committed to reducing the often devastating ill-health caused by smoking.'