SMOKERS across Keighley are being urged to stub-out the habit.

The plea has been issued ahead of Stoptober, the annual month-long mass quitting challenge, which begins on Saturday (Oct 1).

Last year, over 1,750 people throughout the Bradford district attempted to give-up cigs during the initiative.

And figures show that the campaign is having an impact.

Smoking rates district-wide in the past four years have dropped by 1.4 per cent to 20.9 per cent.

Councillor Val Slater, Bradford Council's deputy leader and the portfolio holder for health and social care, said: "Whilst we know that quitting smoking is not easy, Stoptober is a perfect time to try.

"The best thing a smoker can do for their health is to stop.

"There is more help and support available now than ever before and the introduction of standardised packs removes the glamorous branding and makes health warnings more noticeable.

"Smokers can get free additional assistance to quit through the Bradford Airedale stop smoking services which can support your attempt whether you use nicotine replacement products, e-cigarettes or another way of quitting.

"There is also a wide range of help available direct to your phone, laptop or tablet using a Stoptober app, daily e-mail service or Facebook Messenger."

The stop smoking services can be contacted on 01274 437700.

Help is also at hand for South Craven smokers looking to quit.

The Smokefreelife North Yorkshire service, funded by the county council, offers out-of-hours support and there are clinics in GP surgeries and community centres.

People can attend group or one-to-one sessions.

"Studies show that two thirds of smokers want to quit but around 16 per cent of adults in North Yorkshire still smoke," said County Councillor David Chance, executive member for public health and stronger communities.

"Half of long-term smokers die prematurely from a smoking-related disease and every month 61 people in the county discover they have cancer caused by smoking."

The county council has signed an NHS statement of support for tobacco controls.

"Anything that brings organisations together to work to reduce the availability and attractiveness of tobacco products is something we actively support," said County Cllr Chance.

"We also welcome the recent law to introduce plain packaging for tobacco that carries hard-hitting health warnings."

For more details about the North Yorkshire support services, visit smokefreelifenorthyorkshire.co.uk, call 0800 246 5215 or 01609 663 023, or text QUIT to 66777.