A NEW support service to help adult smokers quit has been launched.

VPZ has launched support services for adult smokers in Whitehaven and Workington.

The company is aiming to help a quarter of a million Brits quit smoking over the next 12 months.

As part of the support service, the vaping specialist is partnering with supplier Innokin to offer smokers a 30-day money back guarantee on their discounted starter-kit.

A spokesman for VZP said: "A recent report from Action on Smoking and Health, and Cancer Research UK, found that 44 per cent of local authorities no longer have a specialist stop smoking service for smokers in their area.

"The annual report has also found that support for smokers and funding for other measures to promote quit attempts has fallen by £41.3m since 2014/15, a decline of 30 per cent.

"With the impact of the Government public health budget cuts being felt in communities throughout the country, VPZ is stepping-in to provide a valuable and structured support service, whilst bringing momentum to the Government’s pledge to be smoke free by 2030."

Smokers will be able to access support and educational advice at the Workington and Whitehaven VPZ stores.

The shops will be equipped with a carbon monoxide testing monitor allowing customers to regularly track their journey to becoming cigarette free.

Customers who continue vaping at the end of the 30-day support programme will also be rewarded with a voucher to help them continue on their stop smoking journey.

Doug Mutter, director at VPZ, said: “Our customer engagement tells us that most smokers want to quit.

“Vaping is already proving to be a key weapon in the UK’s stop smoking strategy and a radical rethink is required by Government if the country is to meet its 2030 target of becoming smoke-free.

“With this long-term ambition in mind we have decided to take positive action and establish our own support service throughout our growing store network with an offer that allows every smoker to try vaping.

“Smokers will be able to come into our stores, receive advice from our educational staff and have access to the best starter kit on the market.

“Many of our staff have made the journey to become cigarette free and so sharing their personal experience can be a powerful tool to help people stay on track and quit for good.

“They will also be able to test their carbon monoxide levels every week, ensuring ongoing engagement as they make the switch.

“We are so confident that vaping can help smokers become cigarette-free that we are offering a 30-day money back guarantee on our Innokin starter kits, and support throughout the journey.”