STUDENT Liam Littlejohn is one of thousands of people across the city who are hoping to quit smoking.

The 18-year-old has been lighting up since the age of 12, but has struggled to kick the habit so far.

However, Liam, pictured, is hoping yesterday's national No Smoking Day will give him the encouragement needed to beat his craving for nicotine.

The Fenton Sixth Form College student was one of dozens of teenagers who spoke to a professional smoking prevention officer at the college yesterday, to find out what stop smoking support is available.

Students were shown how smoking damages their bodies and took a carbon monoxide reading of their breath.

Liam, from Ulverston Road, Blurton, recorded a reading of 30ppm (parts per million) in the body. Anything above 20ppm is classed as a heavy smoker.

He said: "I was shocked with the reading of 30, because I didn't think it would be that high. It makes you think about what smoking is doing to your body.

"I've tried to give up in the past because my chest started to go really tight and I started to think of the health factors, but I went back to smoking.

"At the moment I smoke around 20 a day and I dread to think how much it costs me to keep buying cigarettes."

The number of young people who smoke in Stoke-on-Trent is higher than the national average, and a Lifestyle Survey carried out on more than 3,000 young people in the city last year, showed that half said they would like to quit.

Health improvement and smoking prevention worker for NHS Stoke-on-Trent, Amy Smith, said: "No Smoking Day is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the support available to everyone who is thinking of quitting smoking.

"A few of them were quite proud of having a high carbon monoxide reading, but the majority were shocked to see how smoking was affecting their health and said they wanted to try and stop."

Nationally, millions of people were expected to stop smoking on No Smoking Day, which is in its 27th year.

Venues across the city had No Smoking Day stands where people could get information on No Smoking Day, quitting smoking advice and details on where they can get free stop smoking support.

Latest figures show about 2,000 people stop smoking in Stoke-on-Trent every year.

But some 54,000 adults, about one in three in the Potteries, are still smoking.

Tony Bullock, from NHS North Staffordshire Stop Smoking Service, said: "We can provide regular free appointments over the first few weeks of quitting along with a prescription for nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum."

Two events were held yesterday with stands at Asda in Wolstanton and outside Vue Cinema, in Newcastle, to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking in the home, as well as the health risks.

For help on offer to quit call the NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0800 085 0928.