SMOKERS have been urged to give smoking the boot during this year's World No Tobacco Day.

Every year on May 31 smokers have the opportunity to kick their bad habit, with the focus this year on tobacco and lung health.

The campaign will increase awareness on the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health, from cancer to chronic respiratory disease.

It will also highlight the role lungs play for the health and well-being of people.

Doctors at Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are now advising residents on the best ways to stop smoking.

This includes through using e-cigarettes and Nicotine replacement therapy

Dr Stuart Berry, GP lead for respiratory conditions at both CCGs said: “I often come across smokers who haven’t tried e-cigs because they are worried about their safety. E-cigs are now considered to be 95 per cent safer than normal cigarettes. Or to put it another way, they carry only one 20th of the risk of smoking normal cigarettes.

“The best case scenario is that people stop smoking all together – but if you don’t feel ready to quit smoking completely, try e-cigs instead of regular fags."