19% of the Island's population are smokers

Health experts hope todays national No Smoking Day will persuade more Isle of Man smokers to stop lighting up.

Health experts hope todays national No Smoking Day will persuade more Isle of Man smokers to stop lighting up.

Latest figures show that 19 percent of the Island's population are smokers.

This year's theme is 'A Time to Quit' and is being used as an invitation to smokers to use the day to make a lifelong change.

Teams from 'quit4u' are at the Isle of Man College all day today.

The service offers advice on preparing to quit, permanently stopping as well as medicines such as patches or gum which are available for the cost of a prescription.

Anita Imberger, Tabacco strategy co-ordinator said there has been a drop in Isle of Man smokers since the smoking ban.