There are even more ways this year to kick the habit as National Stop Smoking Day takes place today Wednesday 11th March.

Suffolk County Council is lending its support to the work NHS Suffolk is doing not only on the day but throughout the year. The Stop Smoking scheme in Ipswich town centre will give out leaflets about chemists' shops where they can get help and Smokey the Cigarette will also make an appearance for further motivation!

The aim of the yearly event is to motivate people to stop smoking to reduce the many health risks associated from smoking, whether it is heart disease, low fertility levels or cancer.

Suffolk County Councillor Graham Newman, Portfolio Holder for Adult and Community Services is Suffolk's Stop Smoking Champion. As an ex smoker for over thirty years he said:

"If you are a smoker, the biggest single thing you can do to prolong your life and your good health is to kick the habit, and there is a huge variety of free help available if you decide to do so."

Also adding her views, assistant Portfolio Holder for Adults and Communities Councillor Rosemary Clarke, who gave up smoking in 2007 said:

"Giving up smoking is not easy and you have to be in the right frame of mind to do it. But if you think what smoking does to your health, you might be persuaded to try. I received excellent support from the NHS Stop Smoking Service and would highly recommend the Service to anyone who is thinking about giving up".

The NHS is targeting pregnant women this year and have introduced the 'HERS' scheme (health enhancement reward scheme) where pregnant women can get free one-to-one advice about how to quit smoking from a specialist. Women working on the scheme win "rewards" which can be spent on anything from beauty treatments to nappies for the baby.

Smoking increases the baby's chance of having a cleft palate and glue ear. Mothers who are pregnant and smoke also risk a higher chance of miscarrying or having a stillbirth or a baby with low birth weight.

To help kick the habit you could use nicotine gum, nicotine patches, inhalators and there is a free NHS stop smoking helpline 0800 022 4 332.

There are many ways you can help yourself to quit smoking, so use the National No Smoking Day to your advantage and quit today!