Richmond is encouraging smokers to kick cigarettes to the kerb this New Year with the help of its free services.

According to the council - there are an estimated 9000 smoking adults in Richmond, which makes up around 5.9 per cent of the borough.

Cllr Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee, said:“From one-to-one support and drop-in sessions, to nicotine replacement therapy and e-cigarettes, the Council's Stop Smoking service has lots of ways to help you quit smoking.

“New Year is the perfect time to start afresh by saying goodbye to unwanted habits.

"And, we know that more than half of smokers try to kick the habit at the start of the year using will power alone.

"Quitting smoking is a lot easier with the right support, and with the help of our service – you can say goodbye to smoking and hello to a healthier you!”

Between 2018 and 2019, around 300 people gave up smoking thanks to Richmond Council’s ‘Stop Smoking’ service.

Richmond's free Stop Smoking service, offers confidential face-to-face advice and support from specialist advisers, as well as free stop smoking materials and medication such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

Smokers can also call a telephone support service to get expert advice on how they can quit for good.

The pan-London service offers smokers, who are unable to commit to the four to eight-week, face-to-face Council programme with a telephone service.

When Richmond smokers call the free number to access the stop smoking information, they will be offered a series of individual regular phone calls from a specialist advisor.

Visit the Richmond's personalised Stop Smoking Service by emailing stopsmokingteam@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk, or by calling 0800 011 4558.

To access the pan-London service Stop Smoking London residents can ring the helpline on 0300 132 1044 between 9am and 8pm Monday to Friday

and from 11am to 4pm Saturday to Sunday, where they can speak to a trained advisor.