SOMERSET’S 81,000 smokers are being encouraged to make a New Year’s resolution to give up cigarettes.

Some 19% of people in the county smoke, which is below the national average, but there are still 850 smoking-related deaths a year.

Stewart Brock, Somerset County Council’s lead public health specialist on stopping smoking, said: “Many New Year detox plans don’t have any scientific back-up but giving up smoking is proven to improve your health and your life expectancy.

“If you stop smoking now, you’ll have younger looking skin due to more oxygen in your body, whiter teeth and fresher breath and by the end of 2014 you’ll be less stressed, your life expectancy will have increased and your risk of heart attack halved.

“Build in some exercise and eat well and you will be much healthier and look a whole lot better by this time next year.”

For information on how to quit, speak to a doctor, pharmacy or local NHS stop smoking service – for details go to www.nhs.uk/smokefree