MORE than a million people have stopped smoking since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Britain, says Action for Smoking and Health (ASH).

A further 400,000 have tried to quit during this period.

The figures have been published by ASH and University College London on the eve of a new campaign to engage more smokers to kick the habit.

In Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly there are an estimated 81,000 smokers and the local authority says that 1,000 die each year in the county from smoking related illnesses: it’s the biggest preventable cause of death here.

Smoking costs the NHS in Cornwall £20 million a year.

The new campaign which goes live tomorrow is supported by respiratory consultant Dr Ruth Sharrock, who has made a heartfelt plea for people to quit to protect their health.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness, causing cancer, heart and lung disease, and smokers who are hospitalised with COVID-19 more likely to suffer severe outcomes than non-smokers.

Dr Sharrock says: ’Every day of my working life I see the terrible health problems caused by smoking. But I have also been inspired by those already suffering from smoking related diseases, who have still  managed to quit and get health benefits .

’My message to smokers today is, please, do not wait. Whether you are healthy now or already unwell because of smoking, today is the day to stop. It can transform your life.’