A health trust insists it is ready to cope with demand when the smoking ban comes into force this summer.

A group of health charities have queried whether West Sussex Primary Care Trust's (PCT) stop smoking services have the resources to deal with the anticipated surge in smokers wanting to quit before and after the ban comes into effect.

The charities, which include the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Quit and The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, say the PCT's stop smoking budget has been reduced by £133,962 and are concerned staff will struggle as a result.

They are calling on the West Sussex County Council health overview and scrutiny committee to look into the matter.

BHF chief executive Peter Hollins said: "The introduction of a smoking ban in all workplaces in England this summer will be an historic milestone for the nation's health.

"Not only will it be good news for non-smokers, who will be protected from second-hand smoke, but it represents the perfect time for smokers across West Sussex to attempt to give up for good.

"This is a golden opportunity that will not come around again and we urge the county council to make sure West Sussex PCT makes the most of it.

"It would be a crying shame if smokers needing help had to be turned away because services were understaffed."

PCT smoking cessation lead Thelma Dines questioned the figure quoted by the charities and insisted there had been no cuts in the budget.

She said: "The PCT submitted financial information to a survey of Primary Care Trusts in early March 2007.

"This information made clear that predicted smoking cessation expenditure for 2006/07 was provisional because it did not include planned and unexpected expenses for the whole financial year.

"We are therefore unclear as to how the sum quoted was reached. It is important to note that at this time there have been no cuts in the smoking cessation budget. Nor are there any plans to reduce expenditure on this high priority area of public health.

"The PCT is currently looking to increase its bank of stop smoking advisors in order to work with local businesses to support members of their workforce who want to stop smoking because of the forthcoming changes in workplace legislation."