NHS Stockport has teamed up with Stockport County Football Club to fire home the message that smoking kills.

One Stockport resident dies every day from a smoking-related illness. Nearly all of these people will have started smoking in their teens.

Smoking is the single largest cause of premature death in the North West. More than 6,500 people die each year from cancer. Lung cancer causes 9% of all deaths, second only to heart attacks.

Nationally, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK. A new person is diagnosed with lung cancer every fifteen minutes, that's more than 38,000 people each year.

Helen Jackson from Stockport's Stop Smoking Service, said: "With No Smoking Day 2010 just around the corner, it gives smokers the perfect opportunity to kick the habit. There is plenty of local support available for smokers who really want to give up. And by getting in touch with your local NHS Stop Smoking Service you can get help to quit on your terms."

Mike Smith from the Stockport County Community Foundation, added: "Stockport County is getting behind NHS Stockport's campaign to get smokers to stub out their cigarettes and drive home the message that smoking kills."

No Smoking Day 2010 is on Wednesday 10 March.

Smokers are four times more likely to quit using an NHS Stop Smoking Service. To find out more about the support available for smokers of any age contact Stockport Stop Smoking Service call 0161 426 5085, email stopsmoking@stockport-pct.nhs.uk or call into the Stop Smoking Service at Graylaw House, Chestergate, Stockport.