HELP is at hand for Keighley-district smokers seeking to stub out the habit.

Regional health bosses say a wide range of support is available for anyone wishing to ditch the cigs.

The message was issued ahead of this year’s Public Health England (PHE) Stoptober campaign, which will run throughout next month.

PHE says numbers of smokers have dropped significantly in recent years, but an estimated 17 per cent of people in the Yorkshire and Humberside region still smoke regularly.

Nationally, 400,000 people quit last year and there are now one million fewer smokers than there were four years ago.

For the first time as part of the Stoptober initiative, a free, online ‘personal quit plan’ is being offered to help people find the support most suitable for them.

By answering a number of questions, smokers are given suggestions for a combination of help based on their level of tobacco dependency and what methods of support they have used previously.

Scott Cosby, for PHE in this region, said: “If you want to quit, there’s a fantastic range of options available to help you succeed.

“Whether it’s e-cigarettes, apps or meeting up face-to-face with an advisor from the most effective local stop-smoking services in the country, there’s something that will work for you.

“The personal quit plan is a quick and useful free tool.

“People just answer a few questions about their smoking and they are then recommended a combination of support to increase their chances of quitting this Stoptober – and staying that way.”

Stoptober was launched based around research which showed that if you can make it to 28 days smoke-free, you are five times more likely to quit for good.

For more details about the campaign, visit nhs.uk/oneyou/be-healthier/quit-smoking/stoptober.

Meanwhile, South Craven groups are being invited to apply for cash aid to promote smoke-free spaces.

North Yorkshire County Council is seeking bids to its Smokefree Places Fund.

Applicants will need to demonstrate that there is a problem with smoking behaviour in their area, and that they are able to involve their community in promoting a smoke-free lifestyle.

County Councillor Caroline Dickinson, executive member for public health, prevention and supported housing, said: “Smoke-free places set positive role models for children, help to encourage a healthy lifestyle and reduce cigarette litter.”

For further information and to apply, visit nycc.flexigrant.com. The closing date for applications is October 31.