SMOKERS will get more help to quit- improving their health and saving money- thanks to new and improved smoking cessation support in County Durham.

The revamped service from Durham County Council, which launches today (Friday, April 1) will include clinics in and around Crook, Spennymoor, Ferryhill, Bishop Auckland, Shildon, Newton Aycliffe, Barnard Castle and Brandon.

The new Smokefreelife County Durham service is funded by Durham County Council and provided by healthcare company Solutions 4 Health (S4H).

The existing 21 strong team, previously part of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, has transferred to S4H and involves pharmacists, GPs, midwives, hospital consultants, health care and voluntary sector professionals.

It aims to get 2,300 of the county's 86,000 smokers to quit each year and prevent some of the 1,200 deaths smoking contributes to.

A key feature is a ‘wellness on wheels’ mobile unit which takes support and advice to communities particularly hardly reached areas such as rural villages and minority groups such as travellers.

Dianne Woodall, Durham County Council Public Health portfolio lead, said: “Solutions 4 Health is a very energetic, innovative and expert provider of stop smoking services and is most able to meet our specific local and rural needs.”

Su Sear, regional lead for Smokefreelife County Durham, added: “We take a very positive approach and are about reducing health inequalities through supporting and empowering people to improve their health and wellbeing.”

For details call freephone 0800-7720565, 0191-3692106, text QUIT to 66777 or visit smokefreelifecountydurham.co.uk