SMOKERS are urged to sign up to the 28-day Stoptober challenge next month - which experts have said helps people quit altogether.

In York, North and East Yorkshire, smokers are being offered support to stop smoking as part of the challenge from October 1.

Evidence shows that if a smoker can go 28 days without a cigarette, they are five times more likely to stay permanently smoke-free, Public Health England said.

Dr Cathy Read, from Public Health England’s Yorkshire and the Humber centre, said: “We are the worst region in the country on smoking – nearly 23 per cent of adults in Yorkshire and The Humber smoke, compared to the England average of 19.5 per cent. Stopping smoking really is the best thing you can do to improve your health so take up the Stoptober challenge.”

The 2013 campaign saw 250,000 people across the country take part and 65 per cent of those successfully quitting for 28 days.

Across Yorkshire and the Humber 18,900 people signed up to take part last year and more than 750 people in York stopped smoking as part of the Stoptober campaign.

Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer, said: “We know the idea of giving up smoking can be daunting, but Stoptober has proved itself to be a fantastic platform for people to quit and offers all the support that smokers may need to take the first step to stopping for good.”

This year the campaign is being supported by comedians including Paddy McGuinness and Al Murray.

Public Health England is hoping even more will get involved this year by searching “Stoptober” online and signing up.

Stoptober provides smokers with a range of free tools including a new stop smoking pack, a 28-day mobile phone app, text support with daily updates, quitting advice and tips for coping, as well as the encouragement and support from thousands of people quitting together through Stoptober social media channels.

North Yorkshire NHS Stop Smoking Service is available on 0300 303 1603 and people in the East Riding should call 0800 3 247 111 or text quit to 61825.