MORE than 400 smokers in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde region have been helped to quit in the past three months, new figures reveal.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), which covers Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire, has exceeded its three-month target of helping 414 people to stub out their cigarettes.

A total of 422 smokers within the area successfully kicked the habit in the first quarter of 2018/19, with 62 of them being from Renfrewshire.

Each year, the Scottish Government sets each health board a target for the number of people it should aim to help quit.

NHSGGC was one of four boards to surpass the quarterly target.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, director of public health at NHSGGC, said: “I am delighted with these new figures, as each one of these quits is an individual success story and a new chapter in that person’s life with immediate health improvements.

“In 2017/18, more than 2,000 people used our Quit Your Way services to successfully stop smoking.

“People who have used the service are recommending us to friends and family, which is a great endorsement.

“Looking beyond the numbers and percentages, you see the human stories involved. While we celebrate our achievement, we maintain our focus on providing high-quality services that people want.

“Our Quit Your Way services are here to help people quit the habit and improve their health and bank balances. We offer support to people in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire for as long as they need it and take into account individual circumstances and the treatments that people feel suit them best.”

Last year, a survey showed only 20 per cent of people in the NHSGGC area are now smokers, representing a drop of 37 per cent over the past decade.

Dr de Caestecker added: “This improvement will have a major impact on the health of our population.

“It’s important to remember the benefits are being felt not only by those who have quit, but clearly also by those who are no longer exposed to their second-hand smoke, which is especially harmful to babies and children.

“I’d urge those looking to quit smoking to look at our service today.”

Further information on the Quit Your Way service is available from www.nhsggc.org.uk