TODAY is No Smoking Day - a pivotal one for all who want to quit smoking.

And for those of you who want someone else to give up the fags, the BEN is making you an offer you can't refuse.

We are inviting you to SHOP A SMOKER - your chance to shame someone into giving up cigarettes.

It could be a member of your family, a partner or a friend - anyone you care about and wish they'd stop smoking.

March 10 is the 16th No Smoking Day and each year more than a million smokers join in and an estimated 40,000 quit. For many smokers, it helps if they have the support of friends, family and work colleagues when trying to quit, and the BEN is showing its support by giving away three packets of Boots NRT (Nicotine Replacement Patches) patches, worth £14.99 each, to help them on their way.

As we've only got three of these packs available, we are looking for the three best stories.

Write to us telling us who you want to shop, how long they've smoked and why you want them to stop smoking. Try to find out how much they spend on cigarettes in one week.

We'll feature three smokers in a future copy of the BEN and keep a check on their (no smoking) progress.

Send your stories to: SHOP A SMOKER, Bolton Evening News, Features Desk, Newspaper House, Churchgate, Bolton BL1 1DE. Top tips for quitting 1. Set a date and time to stop - and stick to it!

2. Prepare to stop smoking - get rid of all your smoking paraphernalia.

3. Write down all the reasons you want to quit.

4. Don't be afraid to ask for help - let friends and family support you.

5. Do it with others - support each other.

6. Ease the withdrawal symptoms - and remember, they're only temporary.

7. Take one day at a time.

8 Break the links that create the habit - eg, after a meal or when having a drink.

9. Reward yourself - save the money you would have spent on cigarettes for a treat, eg, a new outfit or holiday.

10. Once stopped, stay stopped - remember: "Just one cigarette" will lead to another - and another - and another. Shock teenage findings A RECENT survey of underage smokers, conducted by Richard O'Neill, who runs Bury-based Ex-smokers' Club (UK), revealed what he describes as some "shocking results".

He claims the results of the survey don't surprise him and others who work with young people and, he says: "If the problem isn't addressed within 15 years, the health service won't be able to cope with the level of smoking-related illnesses and diseases."

Richard conducted the survey during January and February. A total of 600 North-west youngsters, aged 10 to 16, took part.

Here are some of the findings:

79pc of those questioned were smokers;

62pc who smoke have parents who smoke;

42pc said they would attend a stop smoking course;

22pc are spending over £5 a week on cigarettes;

47pc said advertising, especially in sport, did influence them;

The average underage smoker has their first cigarette around the ages of 10/11. NO Smoking Day Campaign Office Unit 203, 16 Baldwins Gardens, London EC1N 7RJ. Tel 0171 916 8070.

RICHARD O'Neill's Ex-smokers' Club (UK) runs courses and seminars. Tel 0161 763 7416.

ALWAYS read the instructions on the back of Boots NRT Patch packets. Follow enclosed instructions or use as directed by your doctor.

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