Smokers are being urged to stub out their habit to mark the 40th anniversary of National No Smoking Day on Wednesday.

And there will be plenty of free support on offer for those who want to quit, including nicotine replacement therapies.

National No Smoking Day, which encourages smokers to take a 24-hour break from cigarettes, and highlights the numerous benefits of quitting smoking, even for a short period.

Quitting smoking, even for one day, can significantly improve your health, including:

•Increased lung function

•Improved circulation

•Boosted immune system

•Enhanced sense of taste and smell

Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of death in England as up to two in three smokers will die as a result of long-term smoking.

The benefits of giving up smoking are clear, providing almost immediate health improvements and typically saving £2,000 a year that smokers spend on buying tobacco products.

Lynn Donkin, Director of Public Health at Bolton Council said:“If you smoke, quitting is one of the best ways to improve your health and the benefits are immediate whatever your age and no matter how long you’ve smoked.

"People are on average three times more likely to quit with professional help and here in Bolton there’s a variety of free help available to support residents to quit.

“This No Smoking Day we encourage residents to step towards a healthier life and quit smoking.”

Visit www.bolton.gov.uk/healthy-living/stop-smoking or call the Stop Smoking Helpline 0300 123 1044