British smokers trying to quit the habit will soon be able to get cheap nicotine gum and patches on the National Health Service.
As Britain marked "National No Smoking Day", the government announced family doctors and nurses would be allowed to prescribe nicotine replacement therapies - such as nicotine patches, gum and inhalers - from May.
The measure will mean the products' cost will be cut for most smokers and make them free for low-income smokers at an estimated cost to the taxpayer of between £10 million and £40 million sterling.
"We know that 70 per cent of smokers want to give up," said British Public Health Minister Ms Yvette Cooper. She said the government was building a comprehensive smoking cessation service.
Nicotine-replacement therapy is an effective treatment that doubles rates of success for people giving up and the new measure will ensure the widest possible availability to smokers, she said.
The government also plans to make some nicotine-replacement products available in supermarkets and other shops.