Derby County defender Jake Buxton joined the Department of Health East Midlands and Fresh Start, the Derby City Stop Smoking Service, at the Westfield Centre on Monday to help smokers tackle the habit ahead of No Smoking Day on March 10.

Jake was on hand at the Stop Smoking 'pod' to offer his support to shoppers who were thinking about quitting at Crown Walk in the Westfield Shopping Centre - the pod was set up on Monday, 1 March, and will be offering free advice and support to shoppers until Sunday, 14 March.

Smokers are being encouraged to approach the stop smoking advisors on the stand, who can help by offering advice on quitting techniques, and recommendations on the best medication for an individual's habit and smoking trigger points.Smokers can also have the level of carbon monoxide in their lungs tested to demonstrate the damage that the habit can be having on their health, and pick up leaflets with further quit tips and information on the support available to them.

Buxton said: "The health of our fans is really important to the club, and that's why I was pleased to come down and support the Stop Smoking Services.If any Rams fans are thinking about quitting, but are struggling to do it on their own, I'd really recommend them heading down to the Westfield for advice on kicking the habit."

Sue Benton, Team Leader from Fresh Start in Derby, has been delighted with the impact of the stand to date: "We've had a fantastic response from smokers in the city. Since setting up we've been offering counsel to hundreds of people each day, with around 50 smokers taking the all important step of committing to stopping every day.

"Quitting smoking isn't easy, but research shows that smokers who stop with the NHS Stop Smoking Services are four times more likely to succeed than through willpower alone, so we really can make a difference in helping people kick the habit.If anyone is considering stopping smoking - for whatever reason, I'd really encourage them to come down and visit the stand."

Andrew Head from the Department of Health East Midlands said: "By offering smokers a friendly and informative service which focuses on their individual needs rather than a 'one size fits all' quitting experience our advisors are able to work with you to develop a quit plan which people are much more likely to be able to stick to.Twenty per cent of people across the East Midlands smoke, so there's a very real need to keep addressing the issue region wide."

For more information visit the Stop Smoking Services quit pod, Crown Walk in the Westfield Centre, log on to www.freshstart.nhs.uk, or call 01332 861 174.