A DAY dedicated to helping smokers stub out the habit proved a huge hit.

More than 100 people including smokers and supporters of the cause, strode round Normanby Hall Country Park to promote national No Smoking Day.

The aim of the event, which saw dozens of students don customised anti-smoking T-shirts, was to promote the help available for smokers wanting to stop.

Greg Gough, North Lincolnshire Council's tobacco control co-ordinator, said finding out what help was available was the first step.

He said: "We're pleased with the turnout. There were a lot of kids there from the college which was great. We spoke to around 200 young smokers there last week and around 150 of those told us they wanted to quit and regretted starting."

He said one new way to help stub out cigarettes for good was a free downloadable programme for Apple iPhones which tracks the number of days since quitting, money saved, internet links, helpful tips and more.

One of those who took part was 17-year-old Wayne Lawton, a pupil at North Lindsey College, who said: "I want to quit but I'm not quite ready yet.

"Coming has been useful because I've seen all the help there is for quitting."

Steve Mercer, the council's health improvement manager, said: "There can be a lot of peer pressure to smoke, we want to turn that around and make it so that the peer pressure is to give up.

"By including a three-mile walk, we're involving people who generally don't do any exercise and getting them out, stretching their legs."

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