LONDON, March 11 /PRNewswire/ --

A quarter (23 per cent) of all smokers have cut down since the introduction of smoke-free legislation and millions more plan to quit altogether, new research suggests.

The study shows almost one in five smokers plans to stop tomorrow on No Smoking Day (12 March), with the ban proving a key factor in triggering quit attempts.

Conducted by YouGov to mark the 25th annual No Smoking Day event, the research indicates over 2.25 million people will take part, making it the biggest No Smoking Day for years.

This year's campaign, The Great No Smoking Day Challenge, sees events taking place across the UK, with local stop smoking services, employers, GPs and others providing help, support and advice to those that are ready to stop.

GMTV's resident doctor Hilary Jones added: "Quitting can be the single most beneficial step a smoker can take to improve their health. It's a habit that kills around half of all long-term smokers, but the good news is that quitting starts to reverse the damage almost immediately.

"It's fantastic to see so many people committing to quit on No Smoking Day. If you'd like to stop, join the millions of smokers ready to change their lives for the better on 12 March."

No Smoking Day chief executive Dan Tickle added: "If you're ready to quit, there's never been a better time. Sign up for the Challenge and you can raise money to support your favourite charity while you quit - and we'll send you free supportive text or email messages.

"But don't forget the free local help that's available. Get help from your stop smoking service and you're up to four times more likely to succeed."

To sign up to take The Great No Smoking Day Challenge, or to find your nearest stop smoking service go to http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk.

- Case studies of celebrity and real-life quitters are available from the No Smoking Day campaign team (details below).

- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,126 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 21st

- 25th February 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

- No Smoking Day is organised by a charity of the same name run by four full time staff. The charity aims to help people who want to stop smoking by creating a supportive environment for them, and by highlighting the many sources of help available to people who want to quit.