Two smokers have stubbed out the habit in advance of national No Smoking Day thanks to a “quit” group at Airedale Hospital.

Medical secretary Alison Higgins has managed to pack it in before and stopped for 15 years but started again just over a year ago following two bereavements.

She said: “One night, putting my daughter to bed, I went to kiss her but she turned her head away and said she was sorry she couldn’t kiss me because I smelt and tasted of cigarettes,” she said.

“I was devastated and rang the smoking-cessation team the following day and went along to see them.

“I received invaluable, up-to-date information and excellent strategies to deal with not just the physical aspects of smoking but also the mental and emotional attachment.

“There was never any pressure to quit by a certain date or to use a particular quit-smoking product and now I’m still a non-smoker and feeling the benefits every day.”

Catherine Bramley, ward manager of the ambulatory care unit, had wanted to quit smoking for years but never found the right time.

“I had never tried to stop before – I just didn’t know how,” she said. “I was a pack-a-day smoker for many years.

“Taking part in Airedale’s ‘quit’ group gave me the motivation, knowledge and a plan of action. I haven’t had a cigarette for almost four months and I feel great.”

To mark No Smoking Day on Wednes-day, information will be provided in the hospital throughout the week, explaining where staff and patients wanting to quit can get help and advice.

Figures show across Bradford district 21.5 per cent of adults smoke, compared to 20 per cent in Yorkshire and Humber-side as a whole, and nationally.

Between 2009-11, there were more than 700 smoking-related deaths a year amongpeople aged over 35 in the district.

Visit smokefree.nhs.uk or call 01274 437700 for help with stopping smoking.

An information stand will also be staged at Asda in Keighley on Wednesday, between noon and 3pm.