Figures from the Information Centre for Health and Social Care, which collects statistics on behalf of the Health Service found that almost 165,000 smokers managed to give up around the time of the smoking ban last July, a rise of a more than a quarter on the previous year. More than nine million British adults still smoke, but research has shown that the proportion has fallen from 24 to 22 per cent of the population. The figures revealed that the number of smokers in England setting a quit date with NHS Smoking Services between April and September 2007 was 29 per cent higher than in the same period the previous year. Those who were still cigarette free at a follow-up appointment four weeks later also rose by 28 per cent. Smokers who quit without seeking help from the service were not included in the figures. Research has shown that bar and pub workers are already beginning to feel the health benefits from the smoking ban which came into force last July. Doctors hope that the reduction in the number of English smokers will be mirrored by a drop in heart attacks, as has already happened in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Of those attending stop smoking services, three-quarters received nicotine replacement therapy from the NHS, a further 10 per cent received the drug Champix, the most successful anti-smoking aid, while 4 per cent used the drug Zyban. The cost of the services per quitter was £164, compared with £181 during the same period in 2006. Tim Straughan, chief executive of the Information Centre for Health and Social Care, said this research provides the first feedback since the smoking ban was introduced. He added, "It shows more and more smokers are accessing NHS Stop Smoking Services and many of these are successfully kicking the habit."

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