SMOKERS in York have been encouraged to seek help quitting in the New Year.

City of York Council is supporting the new stop smoking campaign, which has been launched by the Department of Health, which warns that only 15 cigarettes cause a mutation that can lead to cancerous tumours.

The campaign encourages those trying to quit to pick up a free Quit Kit from their local pharmacy to help them stop smoking.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing said: “We want to help as many people as possible in York to become smokefree. I know how difficult it can be to stop smoking, but after quitting myself 13 years ago I feel like my quality of life has increased substantially.

"If you are a smoker, you can quit too with the help of a Quit Kit, a box of practical tools and advice developed with experts, smokers and ex-smokers, which has helped thousands of smokers quit successfully.”

Anyone looking to quit can visit smokefree.nhs.uk for support or to find the nearest participating pharmacy for a free Quit Kit.