BOLTON may have the unwanted status of being third highest place for lung cancer deaths in the North-west, but it also appears to have one of the most effective services in the region to help smokers quit.

The health authority's smoking cessation service will have helped 200 local people stub out the habit by the end of this month.

In fact, they have been so busy that they have had to take on 14 extra staff to cope with the increase in referrals.

As well as helping individuals, the service is being equally influential in aiding a change in attitudes, especially with teenagers.

There is no doubt that when youngsters see role models like Brad Pitt, Sharon Stone or Naomi Campbell lighting up, it is then seen as "cool" and OK to smoke.

Dr Peter Elton, director of public health with Wigan and Bolton Health Authority, recognises this trend. And staff have been contributing to Personal and Social Education lessons by teaching teenagers how to resist peer pressure.

The town has also used under-16s as "spies" to catch out unscrupulous newsagents who sell cigarettes to under-age youngsters.

People who want to quit smoking and who recognise that they need help to do so deserve to succeed. While it is not a cause for celebration that they have to un-learn this acquired habit, it is good news that so many are succeeding -- hopefully for good -- with first-class official support.