A great-granddad who quit cigarettes after being diagnosed with lung cancer today warned Bradford smokers: "Stop now before it gets too late."

Michael Lummas smoked up to 30 a day for 50 years before he was diagnosed a year ago and given only a 50 per cent chance of survival.

The 69-year-old, from Clayton, underwent extensive chemotherapy and radium treatment before going into remission in September.

He was told by doctors it was imperative he quit.

He said: "I'll never forget the look on the consultant's face. She told me in no uncertain terms: 'You've not got to TRY to stop, you HAVE to stop.' But she was so adamant - that made me do it. They are spending so much time and money treating you that you have to give something back."

The doctor's words made Mr Lummas determined to quit there and then.

With help from patches, he has now been a non-smoker for six months. Since then his breathing has noticeably improved - climbing the stairs is easier and he notices how badly smoke smells.

He is saving more than £45 a week through stopping and is full of praise for the experts at Bradford Stop Smoking.

The plumbing and electrical contractor said: "They measure your breath and can tell from its content if you have stopped properly. My reading has dropped from 16 to four to just above one which makes me a non-smoker after 50 years.

"I smoked because everyone of my era did. It was the thing to do. I even smoked a pipe. I never tried to stop because I never thought it was harming me."

Mr Lummas is backing the Telegraph & Argus's Clear the Air campaign calling for the Government's ban on smoking to be extended to all public places.

His lung cancer was diagnosed unexpectedly after he had been in hospital for a hernia operation. Afterwards he had ongoing mystery pains in his legs and back.

Eventually a chest scan was suggested and cancer was detected. The news was broken to him on Christmas Eve 2003 and he was told to spend the festivities at home before returning in January to start immediate treatment.

"I asked them what my chances were and they told me 50/50. That shocked me.

"They have to be honest and answer directly but I wasn't expecting it. Afterwards the situation was explained fully to me and I cannot praise them highly enough since."

Mr Lummas underwent four sets of chemotherapy followed by 16 doses of radium treatment to his lung and his brain as a preventative measure. In September last year he was told he had small cell cancer and was in remission. He was ordered to stop smoking once and for all.

Now Mr Lummas is urging the Government to get even tougher on cigarettes and called for an outright ban.

"People these days are much wiser about the dangers, " he said.

"It is also degrading to have to stand outside for a ciggie.

Providing smoking rooms is encouraging it. They should go completely."

Wednesday, March 9, is National No Smoking Day across the UK and experts at Bradford Stop Smoking are urging people to do it. For details of the Stop Smoking Service, call 0800 1690169 or visit www.nosmokingday.org.uk