SMOKERS who want to quit this new year will be able to get support by visiting a special bus which is touring the county this month.

The NHS North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service will be visiting towns and cities across the county in its Smoke Free Bus - along with other information stands.

The double-decker bus will give information about the range of help available for those who want to kick the habit.

NHS support includes seven-week courses run by the Stop Smoking Service, led by a specialist advisor, and one-to-one help through GPs and some pharmacies.

The Smoke Free Bus will be at Morrison's in Scarborough on Friday, from 10 to 4pm, and at Abbey Walk in Selby on Monday, from 10am to 4pm.

It will be at St Sampson's Square in York tomorrow, and at Asda in Harrogate from 3pm to 7pm on January 12.

Margaret Hewitson, head of the North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service, said: "We always have a lot of interest from people who have chosen to make a New Year's resolution to make a fresh start in January by giving up smoking, so to make it easier for people to see what help and support is available we are visiting towns and cities across North Yorkshire over the coming weeks.

"2007 is also the year that the new smoking legislation will be introduced, making it illegal to smoke in enclosed spaces in public from July 1, so why not get ahead of the game and kick-off the year by joining one of our courses, or accessing the support available through your GP or local pharmacy?"

The Stop Smoking Service courses will start in locations across the county from Monday 15 January. You can phone the North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service on 0845 877 0025.