A FLEET of almost 100 buses is being used to spread the stop smoking message throughout Yarmouth and Waveney.National adverts bearing a local telephone number for smokers seeking free help to quit are being carried on about 95 First Eastern Counties and Ambassador buses.

A FLEET of almost 100 buses is being used to spread the stop smoking message throughout Yarmouth and Waveney.

National adverts bearing a local telephone number for smokers seeking free help to quit are being carried on about 95 First Eastern Counties and Ambassador buses.

Some of the ads are located inside the buses while others have been put on the sides or backs of buses operating to and from depots in Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

It is the idea of NHS Yarmouth and Waveney (formerly known as Yarmouth and Waveney Primary Care Trust) which has been praised by NHS East of England, the strategic health authority, for exceeding its stop smoking target last year.

Vicki Snelgrove, from the public health department of NHS Yarmouth and Waveney, said the adverts will be carried until 9 November.

“This is the first time that we've used buses to advertise the Yarmouth and Waveney Stop Smoking Service,” she said.

“Buses are highly visible all over the area we serve so they are a great way for carrying this sort of information.”

Last year the Yarmouth and Waveney Stop Smoking Service helped nearly 1500 people to quit smoking - with genuine support smokers are four times more likely to quit.

For more information on the stop smoking service call the local helpline on 0800 085 6037.