A quarter of people living in Kingston over the age of 15 smoke and more than half would like to stop according to Kingston and Richmond Health Authority which has just launched a major anti-smoking drive.

Timed to coincide with national No Smoking Day on March 11 it is targeted particularly at the young after studies revealed 38 per cent of teenagers and young people in Kingston smoke - above the national average.

It is also working with pregnant women, a third of whom are failing to stop smoking despite the health risks to their unborn child.

Camila Peterken who is organising the campaign called Ready, Steady, Stop said the old shock tactics have been abandoned in favour emphasising the positive health benefits of stopping smoking.

The campaign also recognises that people smoke, and stop smoking, for a variety of different reasons.

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