More than 9,000 smokers in Sussex kicked the habit last year at a cost of more than £2.2 million.

Figures published by the NHS Information Centre reveal how many people who went to an NHS stop smoking service for help in 2008-09 managed to stay off the habit.

In Brighton and Hove, 2,021 out of 3,472 people taking part quit cigarettes.

In West Sussex 3,659 gave up out of 7,146 and in East Sussex Downs and Weald 1,919 successfully quit out of 3,602.

Hastings and Rother had 1,519 people giving up out of 3,248.

The NHS in the South East Coast region spends about £250 on each person that successfully stops smoking.

East Sussex health improvement specialist Stuart Ramsbottom said: “We are really encouraged by these figures. They show all the hard work being put in by the stop smoking team is bearing fruit.

“The team offer a variety of ways for people to get support on stopping smoking. As well as specialist services for pregnant women, they can make visits to where you work to help you and your workmates quit smoking.

“They also run 40 drop-in clinics across the county. You can also get help and advice on stopping smoking from your GP or local pharmacist.”

Andy Vincent, stop smoking services manager for West Sussex, said: “This is a major priority for us because we know supporting smokers to kick the habit is the single most important thing we can do to help them live longer, healthier lives.

“Alongside all the existing services, we have recently put in extra support to help parents and pregnant women quit smoking, and have launched a new scheme to train and support community pharmacy staff to offer support to anyone wanting to stop.

“There has never been a better time to stop smoking, because the NHS is offering more help than ever before.

In West Sussex you can get support over the phone, one-to-one, in groups, or even over the internet.”

For details on help to give up smoking in Brighton and Hove, call 01273 267397 or go to www.

brightonandhovepct.nhs.uk. In East Sussex, call 0800 9178896 or go to www.smokefreeeastsussex.org.uk. In West Sussex, call 01903 708000 or go to www.westsussexpct.nhs.uk.