SMOKERS in Okehampton are being urged to give up the habit during October as part of a new national campaign.

Stoptober is the first ever mass quit attempt launched by the Department of Health, which is targeting the nation's eight million smokers. Research shows that if smokers can stop for 28 days, they are five times more likely to stay quit.

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust is backing the campaign by holding two quit smoking courses throughout October – one in Exeter and one in Barnstaple. They are also encouraging smokers in Okehampton to take part.

The trust's advisers have supported 973 smokers to give up in the last year and their success rates are among the best in the country, with over threequarters of people quitting not lighting up within four weeks.

Weekly stop smoking clinics are held in a variety of venues across Mid and North Devon.

Greg Price, manager of the Devon Stop Smoking Service, said: 'Stoptober is going to give smokers who want to stop an excellent opportunity to try. Smokers can just quit for October and see how its feels. We are confident once they've managed a month, people won't want to go back.

'Our specialist support is free and will include access to a Stoptober quitter's pack, stop smoking medication on prescription and weekly sessions to keep people smoke-free.

'The trust is fully supporting the national Stoptober campaign, which will allow smokers in Okehampton to become part of something bigger. Across the country people will be quitting on October 1 and looking to lead a healthier lifestyle.'

Professor Dame Sally Davies, the UK's chief medical officer, said: 'This is the first time we have launched a mass quit attempt of this kind and if people want to stop smoking and take part in the 28-day programme, there is considerable support and advice available.'

Anyone interested in joining the quit smoking sessions in Exeter or Barnstaple must sign up in advance.

For more information, call the Devon Stop Smoking Service on 01884 836024. For more information on the national campaign visit http://www.smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober">www.smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober