The NHS stop-smoking campaign may have saved 70,000 lives over the last 10 years, according to the Department of Health.
It cites two million successful attempts to quit since the campaign was launched, which has seen the the percentage of UK smokers fall from 28% to 21%.
Says Health Minister Gillian Merron: “I am proud of the hard work behind every one of these 70,000 success stories. Every life saved represents a battle against an addiction a triumph for the individual and their family.
“Stopping smoking is hard, but thanks to free local NHS Stop Smoking Services, you are up to four times more likely to succeed.”
The 150 local services in England were established in 2000-01 and provide help to smokers at GP surgeries, sports and leisure centres, workplaces, and high street chemists.
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