More than 3,000 people in Bradford quit smoking in a year after visiting a service designed to help people kick the habit.

New NHS figures show the Stop Smoking Service in the district helped 3,317 smokers successfully quit.

The figures, published today, reveal that between April 1, 2004, and March 31 this year, 44 per cent of the 7,389 people who visited the service stopped smoking.

The Telegraph & Argus reported on Tuesday how in 2004 across West Yorkshire there were 11,392 successful stoppers, up from 8,899 in 2003 - an increase of 28 per cent.

They were all successful after joining programmes set up by the NHS across the region.

The Bradford service, based at the Leeds Road hospital, is one of the backers of the T&A's Clear the Air campaign which is calling for the Government to impose an all-out ban on smoking in public places to cut death rates from cigarette-related diseases.

Today Madge Boyle, tobacco programme manager for Bradford District Health Development Partnerships, said the service was "very pleased with this result."

The Bradford service provides expert advisors trained in helping smokers and offering them the support they need to quit.

Mrs Boyle said: "Evidence shows that people are more likely to stop for good if they get the right support from the start, combined with treatment such as nicotine gum and patches.

"This kind of support can be four times more effective than willpower alone."

The Bradford service offers confidential help and support in many venues across the district, including GP surgeries. Smokers can refer themselves to the programme or can be referred by health professionals or other professionals.

Courses last from four to eight weeks and advisors offer either one-to-one support or group sessions depending on a client's needs.

The service includes Airedale Primary Care Trust, Bradford City Teaching Primary Care Trust, Bradford South and West Primary Care Trust and North Bradford Primary Care Trust.

Mrs Boyle said smoking was the main cause of premature death in the UK, killing more than 106,000 people a year.

Cigarettes contain 4,000 toxins such as arsenic, ammonia, cyanide, formaldehyde and carbon dioxide in the smoke.

People who smoke 20 cigarettes a day, at an average cost of £4.80 per day, could save more than £1,600 a year by quitting.

For further information on the Bradford Stop Smoking Service, telephone (01274) 363559 or (01535) 295320.