According to figures released today - National No Smoking Day - 11% of smokers in the province have said they will either try to or definitely stop smoking when the UK's complete ban on smoking in enclosed public places is introduced on April 30.

And if successful this would equate to no smoking-related deaths in the province for one-and-a-half years.

Ben Youdan, Chief Executive of charity No Smoking Day, which commissioned a poll on public awareness of the ban, said: "Today is the ideal opportunity to stop smoking before Smokefree comes into place this summer.

"More than two-thirds of smokers in Northern Ireland say they want to quit smoking and should seek advice and support from stop smoking services to do that.

"This could be one of the biggest changes in public health in decades and we need to be ready to give all these smokers the help and support they need to quit. Around £56m has been spent on NHS stop smoking services who are expecting their busiest ever year."

Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland, said: "This year's campaign theme, Make A Fresh Start, highlights the fact that No Smoking Day is the focal point for smokers who really do want a fresh, new, healthier lifestyle, which is free from smoking.

"The day is targeted towards helping and supporting smokers, the majority of whom want to stop, in their efforts to try to give up for good.

"However, smoking is an incredibly difficult habit to break due to the highly addictive nature of nicotine, so it is vital smokers both have, and are aware of, the support they need for their quit attempt to be successful."

To find a local stop smoking service log onto www.nosmokingday.org.uk or call 0800 85 85 85.

Meanwhile local charity Action Cancer is providing no-smoking signage to bars and restaurants registered with the Federation of Retail License Trade.

Its Health Promotion Manager Emily McGrath said: "Statistics show that 80% of cancer is preventable with healthy lifestyle choices including eating a healthy diet, taking regular exercise and not smoking."