On the first anniversary of the smoking ban this week, the Government said the number of quitters had increased by 22 per cent since the legislation was introduced.

But in Brighton and Hove, despite a spike in demand for anti-smoking services in July last year, the number of people kicking the habit has stalled.

Kate Lawson, the city's head of health promotion, assesses the impact of the smoking ban on the city's health and explains how comfy pub gardens may have dissuaded people from giving up.

Public support for the smoking ban is still on the rise, with 80 per cent of people in favour, according to Action on Smoking and Health (Ash UK).

Many people want even stronger laws and the Government is consulting on proposals for a new national tobacco control strategy.

The smoking ban was introduced to protect workers from second-hand smoking and an increase in the number of people quitting was expected.

The NHS stop smoking service started a campaign in November 2006 and saw an increase in people using the services culminating with a spike in demand in July last year, as smoking was banned in pubs, restaurants, bars and workplaces.

But the usual new year increase from those making resolutions did not occur and by the end of the year we found that about 2,000 smokers had used the service - the same as the previous 12 months.

The service was really surprised not to see more people come forward after the smoking ban, but Brighton and Hove was not alone in this.

The growth of comfortable outdoor seating and smoking areas in pubs may have negated the need for some people to give up, as people continue to tell us that it has been easy to stop smoking during the day but that at night when they are going out it is much more difficult.

But we believe the smoking ban has made it easier for people to quit. We hear a lot of people saying at our smoking service that not being able to light up inside a pub or club has made a big difference because you are not sitting around smokers.

Our workplace service, which visits offices, factories and other workplaces to help people, has been really successful.

This has been our biggest growth area and because the sessions happen close to your desk or worksite you get the support of your colleagues.

The primary care trust and all NHS facilities have a total ban on smoking indoors and outdoors at the workplace.

There were fears that people would switch from smoking in a pub to the home after the ban came in but this hasn't increased, which is good news.

We have a Smoke Free homes campaign to encourage people to smoke away from children, to cut down on passive smoking.

For more information on how to give up visit www.smokefreeeastsussex.org.uk.