Smokers on low incomes in Bradford could be offered a week's free supply of treatment to help them kick the habit.

It could include a week's supply of nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, chewing gum and inhalators.

The Bradford district is one of the first wave of Health Action Zones in the country to receive Government money to set up specialist help for smokers who want to stop.

Cash could also be on offer for groups with bright ideas to help people stop smoking.

The initiatives are being launched as part of a new specialist service under Bradford district's smoking cessation strategy.

Smoking is responsible for more than 120,000 deaths a year in the UK. High rates of smoking are linked to poverty and deprivation.

The northern and Yorkshire region has one of the highest rates of smoking in the country.

Janet Walton, smoking issues worker at Bradford District Health Promotion Service, said: "Smokers from disadvantaged groups are no different from other groups in their desire to quit, but their circumstances make it far more difficult for them to do so.

"There will be a particular emphasis, therefore, on making services accessible to these groups, and finding innovative ways to support them to quit.

"Other target groups include young people and pregnant women, and again ways of identifying those who want to quit and providing support appropriate to their needs will be developed."

Dr Sheila Webb, consultant in Public Health for Bradford Health Authority, who is heading the initiative in the district, said: "This is a golden opportunity to help smokers in Bradford to quit."

Details of how to contact the specialist service will be widely publicised in the district shortly.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.