A clinically-proven initiative that gets people to quit smoking is available for free just for Barrow residents.

Westmorland and Furness Council is trialling the drug-free Allen Carr’s Easyway method as part of an ambition to make the entire council area 'smoke-free' by 2030.

For now only people living in the Barrow area will be able to access the pilot for free. It will only be available for 12 months and with limited spaces available, smokers wanting to quit are being urged to book their slot soon.

Barrow has been chosen to host the pilot as the area has significantly higher rates of smoking (19 per cent) compared to the South Lakeland (10 per cent) and Eden (eight per cent) areas.

To achieve smoke-free status, the council needs to reduce smoking prevalence to five per cent of the population (the rate required to achieve “smoke-free” status) down from the current 11.1 per cent.

This will mean reducing the current figure of approximately 20,000 smokers in Westmorland and Furness by half – if nobody else takes up the habit during this time.

After the pilot has ended, a thorough evaluation will be conducted and it will then be decided how to move forward with the smoking cessation offer in Westmorland and Furness.

Smoking remains the biggest cause of ill-health and death in the UK and increases the risk of developing serious health conditions. Smoking is also a major contributing factor to health inequalities.

Allen Carr’s Easyway has been helping people in the UK and around the world to stop smoking easily and painlessly for over 40 years.

If you live in LA13, LA14, LA15 & LA16 you can attend a live seminar for free or can choose to watch the pre-recorded online video programme as Westmorland and Furness Council are funding the attendance.

To find out more, visit Allan Carr's website.