HEALTH bosses from Blackburn with Darwen have released advice on giving up smoking to mark National No Smoking Day today.

This year's national day marks 40 years since the link between smoking and lung cancer was first published in 1962.

But, the local Primary Care Trust believes, although it is decades since the links were known, it is still never too late to start giving up.

Consultant in public health for the PCT, Dr Gifford Kerr, said: "The good news is that it's never too late to benefit from trying to give up. Also, effective treatments are more accessible than ever before.

"The bad news is that most adult smokers are already addicted by the age of 20 and when asked, the vast majority regret ever having started.

According to Dr Kerr, treatments include the new drug Zyban, which is available on prescription and can reduce cravings. There are also specialist smoking cessation services across East Lancashire.

In a recent survey by ASH and the Royal College of Physicians, middle-aged smokers were found to regret starting most, with 90 per cent saying that if they were given their time again, they would not smoke.

The same survey also found almost 80 per cent of 16 to 24-year-old smokers were equally unhappy with their habit.

Every PCT, including the two new ones due to be set up for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale and Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, will soon have to have a person responsible for tackling smoking at a local level, working with schools, colleges, restaurants and shops to help children and young people avoid taking up the habit in the first place.

If you want help with giving up, contact the local specialist smoking cessation service on 01254 294727 or ring Quitline, the national freephone helpline on 0800 002200.

There is also a Quit and Get Fit group, which meets every Tuesday between 10am and noon at Darwen Leisure Centre. For details ring 01254 294727.