Thousands of homes in the Corby area will receive a leaflet encouraging people to give up, offering advice on what they can do to boost their chances of success.

Taxis, pubs and bus shelters will also be targeted in the campaign as health bosses try to get the message to as many smokers as they can that they will lend them their support when it comes to trying to quit.

Corby has the highest rate of smokers in Northamptonshire and also has higher numbers than the national average.

Gail Addison, who oversees the primary care trust's smoking support service, said: "It starts next week.

"We realised we would have to do something a bit different to get people to quit.

"We are concentrating on every single house in Corby and also on taxis, public places like bus shelters, and in some public premises like pubs.

"The key messages mirror the Department of Health's campaign, which is that you are four times more likely to quit smoking with NHS support than going it alone.

"The figures are still low but it proves just how difficult it is to quit smoking.

"People don't tend to use the right products on their own and they find it difficult to keep motivated.

"What causes the health issues in cigarettes are the 4,000 chemicals in them, 70 of which are known to cause cancer."

NHS research shows that out of every 100 smokers who attempt to quit on their own, within one year just three of them will have managed to kick the habit, but with help from health practitioners that figure rises to 25 out of every 100.

The primary care trust is sending out the leaflets in partnership with drug company Pfizer, which makes nicotine replacement products and is funding the initiative.

But non-smoker Sara Patterson, of Lavender Close, Corby, thinks it will be a waste of time.

She said: "I'm not sure it will help.

"Most people are aware of the health benefits or risks of smoking and most people are aware of where they can get help."