October is the month when lots of people give up smoking, and in Bath many people have signed up to the Stoptober campaign.
Many of them have already spent their first smoke-free day, and are determined to quit the habit which is still the biggest cause of preventable illnesses and early deaths.
Michael West, 62, from Snow Hill, is determined to quit. Last week he called into a Stoptober pop up shop in Westgate Street run by Sirona Health and Care to seek help.
He was given a free prescription for nicotine patches, and a spray to use when he felt like a cigarette, and lots of help and support.
He said: "I always have a cigarette with my first cup of coffee in the morning, but I didn't even think of it yesterday, my first day.
" I used the patch and the spray and enjoyed my first cup of coffee without a cigarette."
He is quitting for health and social reasons.
"I want to be able to taste my own food, and to walk up steps without running out of breath," he said.
"I also want to give up because it is not fair on my partner Ann, as she doesn't smoke."
It is early days, but Michael is very impressed with the support he has received from Sirona.
"They are going to keep in touch with me to see how I am getting on, and give me support if I need it," he said.
Stoptober is a national campaign run by Public Health England, supported by many local businesses and organisations.
More than 300 people came into the Sirona pop up shop, and 18 signed up for support.
Joanne Fuller, Sirona's stop smoking advisor said: "Taking Stoptober to the High Street has proved how easy it is to take part and to break the habit.
"Michael and everyone else who has signed up to the programme can expect to receive regular one to one support throughout the month of October and beyond."
The Sirona stop smoking service is available to anyone in Bath and North East Somerset, and offers free and confidential advice to those who want to give up.
For more information telephone 01225 831852.
