Smokers will get special help to quit the habit from their GPs, writes Victoria Owen.

A new scheme means people can have free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) from doctors' surgeries. It has been launched in Oxfordshire by the county health authority as part of a 149,000 bid to banish smoking.

The project, administered by Oxfordshire Smoking Advice Service, will allow smokers a week's worth of patches to kick-start their efforts.

Family doctors in Bicester, Banbury and surrounding areas will head the campaign. Other parts of Oxfordshire will follow in the next few weeks.

Practices will also have members of staff trained to offer support and advice to quitters.

It is hoped the free patches will help those on low incomes to kick the habit. Research shows that the price of NRT, about 16 to 20 for seven days, is a deterrent for smokers on a low income. But a Finnish study has shown that offering one week's free NRT leads to high quit rates one year later.

Health promotion specialist Carol Messer said: "Smoking by lone parents and low-income couples is the primary factor leading to hardship."

Smokers wanting to quit should see their GP, who will be able to provide eligible patients with vouchers.

"A higher rate of smoking among people with low incomes is matched by much higher rates of disease such as cancer and heart disease."

Organisers of the new quit scheme are using NRT patches because it doubles the chances of success of smokers wishing to give up their habit.