A STOP smoking course for people trying to kick the habit is proving a success.

People across Brighton and Hove have been signing up for Smoke Free Me after it was commissioned by health bosses in the city.

The course was created by psychologists and aims to break the habit chains connected with smoking, such as having a cigarette on the way to work or with a cup of coffee.

Experts say that while smokers are addicted to nicotine, the brain is more addicted to the habit itself.

The Smoke Free Me scheme uses texts and emails to send people messages of support, tips to distract them and ideas of things to do to cut down.

The messages, which are tailored to suit the individual, are designed to smash habits, crush cravings and embrace new smoke-free behaviours.

Tips can include something as simple as standing on one leg for 90 seconds to distract from a craving or to avoiding going out for a drink so you are not tempted to light up as well.

Argus media sales executive Jordan Taylor, who has smoked for 15 years, signed up to the scheme and set a quit date of March 30.

He said he has received a great deal of support from the scheme.

He said: “I have been on the programme for the best part of six weeks and with some minor bumps along the way, I have been smoke free for the past three weeks.

“The text reminders and the overall, patient structure to it have been a great help.

“The prompts have drastically slowed down over the past couple of weeks but most of the recent ones encourage you to be calm with tasks such as meditating and listening to music.

“I feel the whole programme has been a lot more beneficial than the usual method of patches and gum which really do not address the key problems, which are the cravings and the thought process behind smoking.”

For more information, visit www.SmokeFreeMe.co.uk.

Dangers of smoking

SMOKING is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK.

About 391 people in Brighton and Hove die from smoking-related illnesses every year, which is 324 per 100,000 of the population aged 35 and over. This is higher than the national rate of 292.

Smoking increases your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions including cancer, heart disease, stroke and emphysema.

Women who smoke when pregnant put their unborn baby's health at risk, as well as their own. The risks include miscarriage, premature birth, a low-weight baby and stillbirth.