TWO thirds of Bury residents who used “stop smoking” services to quit are still tobacco-free a month later, figures have revealed.

Statistics showed that 445 smokers out of the 665 – 67 per cent – who set a quit date with local services had not gone back to the habit four weeks later.

The rate is much higher than the North West average, where the total was 42,879 out of 98,967, according to tables compiled by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSIC) for the April 2013 to March 2014 period.

The number of smokers accessing local services are slightly down from last year, both nationally and in the North West, but one-to-one support is viewed as the most effective way to stop smoking by experts, with quitting rates four times higher than going alone.

Frances Carbery, health improvement specialist at Bury Council, said: “The success rate for Bury demonstrates the high quality of the ‘stop smoking’ services that we provide. ”

Andrea Crossfield, chief executive of Tobacco Free Futures, said: “If you are thinking about quitting, get in touch with your local stop smoking service to receive free support and advice. With one-to-one support and free prescriptions, stop smoking services can really give you the extra help you need.

“As well as the money saved from stopping smoking, quitters will start to notice immediate health improvements. Longer term, those who stop smoking reduce their risk of heart disease and lung cancer.”

• For more details: visit http://www.nhs.uk/smokefree/help-and-advice/local-support-services-helplines; or call 0845 223 9001 or 0161 724 2152 to speak to Bury Stop Smoking Service.