A RECORD number of smokers in the region tried to quit on No Smoking Day last month, figures reveal.

In total, 73,406 smokers in the North-East, almost one in five, tried to kick the habit and one in three, about 121,000, asked for information about quitting on March 14.

In the Yorkshire and Humber area, 58,000 smokers attempted to stub out and 173,000 made a positive move to try to quit.

The region also had the highest awareness in Great Britain of No Smoking Day - almost one in seven smokers and non-smokers in the North-East were aware of the event.

It is estimated that about 635,000 people in the North-East smoke.

The news comes after The Northern Echo launched its Make a Fresh Start Campaign, in association with Darlington Primary Care Trust and the NHS, which is reporting on how the region is preparing for the ban on smoking in public places.

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, Smoke Free North-East, said: "We are really delighted and pleased. A big thank you to everyone, especially The Northern Echo, for all the work you have done on this.

"Smoke Free North-East is not about making people quit. It is about protecting non-smokers."

She said that for smokers who wanted to quit, there was support.

She said: "The main message here is, don't give up.

"Your best chance to quit is if you have support from your local NHS stop-smoking sessions and with nicotine replacement therapy."

Vishnee Sauntoo, campaign manager for the No Smoking Day charity, said: "It is really important that smokers who want to stop seek help in their quit attempt.

"We know that stopping smoking is difficult on your own.

"There is a range of help available from a free local NHS Stop Smoking Service to nicotine patches or gum from your local pharmacy. However you choose to stop, there is always someone to help and support you."

Smokers who had successfully quit on No Smoking Day will already be feeling the benefits.

A 20-a-day smoker will have almost £180 extra in their pocket and will have an improved sense of taste and smell. Their blood pressure will be normal and there will be no carbon monoxide or nicotine in their body.

For more on The Northern Echo's Make a Fresh Start campaign, go to www. thenorthern echo. co. uk/news/freshstart To find out where your local stop-smoking service is, go to www. nosmokingday. org. uk or call 0800-169-0169.