A SERVICE to help people stop smoking is being launched this month in North Yorkshire.

The Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust is encouraging local pharmacists to provide the NHS smoking cessation service in an effort to make it more convenient for those wanting to quit smoking.

Local specialist smoking adviser Flis MacDonald said: "Stopping smoking is the single most important lifestyle change that a person can make to improve their health and reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

"This initiative will make it easier for people to access information, support and nicotine replacement therapies within their local communities."

The service is open to any patient registered in the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale area.

For more information, patients may contact any of the following pharmacies:

* Barrowcliff Pharmacy, Scarborough, Neil Hopkinson (01723) 374667

* Northstead Pharmacy, Scarborough, Lisa Kellett (01723) 362613

* Graham Thomas Pharmacy, Gladstone Road, Scarborough, Graham Thomas (01723) 360977

* Scarborough Delivery Pharmacy, Ramshill, Scarborough, Syd Bashford (01723) 362796

* Towler Pharmacy, Kirkbymoorside, Jo Towler (01751) 431229

* Boots Pharmacy, Baxtergate, Whitby, Neil Milner (01947) 602219.