Ref. 29470-35SMOKERS across Swindon tried to stub out the habit yesterday as part of National No Smoking Day.

The day was marked at Tinkers Lane surgery in Wootton Bassett where the doctors' practice and neighbours from Jones Pharmacy joined forces to promote a healthier and tobacco-free lifestyle.

Sally Priddy, the practice nurse in charge of the surgery's smoking cessation clinic, gives counselling and help to people who want to kick the habit.

She said: "There's been a big campaign since January, in accordance with Government guidelines.

"Smoking is a huge contributory factor to coronary heart disease."

Pharmacist Cathy Jones, whose business sponsored T-shirts with anti-smoking slogans on them, said: "There's a big surge towards helping people in Wootton Bassett to give up smoking. We are offering ten per cent off all nicotine replacement products this month."

Swindon Primary Care Trust is encouraging people who want to give up to create smoke-free zones at home.

Swindon Council is also urging youngsters to help stop their habit and was yesterday giving a free swim or skate voucher for a council leisure centre in exchange for five cigarettes.

The Advertiser reported last week that Dorcan Technology College in St Paul's Drive, Covingham, is the first Swindon school to launch a Smoke Stop counselling service to help students give up cigarettes.

Meanwhile, Swindon peer Lord Stoddart joined in a street protest yesterday campaigning for the right to smoke.

The demonstration coincided with National Non-Smoking Day.

As cigarette addicts across the nation tried not to light up for 24 hours, Lord Stoddart who does not smoke any longer stood out in the cold to fight for their right to enjoy their habit.

He joined other MPs and Lords, some of whom puffed on pipes outside the Houses of Parliament.

Lord Stoddart, a former Labour MP for Swindon, insisted he was battling for individual freedoms and common sense, and against "absurd" political correctness.

He said: "I'm a non-smoker but I uphold the right of people to smoke. The situation in this country is such that before long we won't be able to do anything at all."

He blamed "junk science and tilted statistics" for making people think smoking had to be stopped at all costs.

He said: "Far more people are killed by car pollution than cigarette smoke. But no one is suggesting we should ban cars."

l Anyone who wants to give up smoking or find out more about ways of stopping can contact Swindon Primary Care Trust in confidence on 0800 389 2229. Help is also available from GP surgeries.

The Swindon peer said he was not recommending anyone take up smoking.

But he said: "We used to have smoking rooms, so anyone who didn't want to breathe in fumes could avoid them.

"Now we seem to be trying to ban smoking everywhere, rather than the more sensible policy of giving people the choice."