More than 24,000 adults smoke in Dover, according to figures released by the British Heart Foundation.

The BHF says this equates to 22% of Dover’s population, which is higher than the national average.

The BHF is urging people to quit the habit on No Smoking Day, March 12.

Those who want to give up can get involved for the day by organising a charity event or visiting the website nosmokingday.org.uk to register for stop-smoking services.

The charity states that half of all long-term smokers die because of their addiction to tobacco, making smoking one of the most dominating health concerns in the area.

The associate medical director at the BHF, Dr Mike Knapton, said: “Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do to improve your health.

“Stubbing the cigarettes out will reduce your
risk of heart disease, stroke and a variety of cancers, and you’ll have more money to spend on things that you enjoy.

“We know that quitting isn’t easy but last year nearly a million smokers used No Smoking Day to try and mark the start of their smoke free future.

“We’re encouraging people to get support from their local stop smoking service now, and join forces with other would-be quitters across the UK on March 12, to win the battle with cigarettes once and for all.”

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke is a reformed smoker.

He said: “It is important for your health, the health of your family and your wallet. People who stop smoking are better off in every way.”

No Smoking Day encouraged a million people to attempt to quit smoking last year.

Research also suggests that those who give up while using stop-smoking services are more likely to do so permanently.