The number of people who have quit smoking using the free regional NHS service has more than doubled since the scheme began.

In West Yorkshire successful quitters have leapt from 5,806 in 2000 to 12,171 in 2004/05.

The figures, released yesterday, come the same week the Government's watered-down Bill was put before Parlia-ment calling for a partial ban on smoking in pubs, clubs and bars.

The Telegraph & Argus has campaigned for smoke-free public places through our Clear the Air Campaign.

Research shows that smokers who want to quit are twice as likely to stop if they get support from an advisor and use aids, such as nicotine replacement patches.

In Bradford 2,922 smokers quit in 2004-05 with a 40 per cent success rate for the NHS scheme. In Kirklees this figure was 2,254, with a 56 per cent success rate. And in Calderdale 1,350 smokers kicked the habit - 57 per cent of those who signed up to the scheme.

Madge Boyle, Bradford District Health Development Partnerships Tobacco Programme manager, said the ban on smoking in enclosed public places did not go far enough.

"The Government's decision to adopt a partial ban on smoking in enclosed public places will not protect the many employees who work in pubs that do not serve food and private members' clubs from the health hazards of second-hand smoke," she said.

"The employee who works in a smoke-filled pub or private members' club has the right to have his or her health protected.

"This takes priority over the liberty to smoke wherever desired."

She said the Stop Smoking Service was committed to supporting businesses and workplaces which opted to become smoke-free and offered the Roy Castle Good Air Award to such businesses.

The final Bill excludes private members' clubs and pubs not serving food from the ban. Many people believe pubs will simply stop serving food to dodge becoming smoke-free.

A major survey of pubs has shown that those not serving food are concentrated in poorer communities, where smoking rates are already highest.

For free information or advice contact the Stop Smoking Service on (01274) 363559.