A campaign backing a national health initiative to quit smoking has been launched by Tower Hamlets council.

Residents are being urged to sign up to Stoptober a month-long challenge to stop smoking during October,

Research has shown that smoking is the biggest cause of premature death in Tower Hamlets and accounts for 100,000 deaths in the UK.

Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “Along with the health benefits, regular smokers who quit can save up to £2,000 a year. We’re encouraging residents to sign up and quit along with thousands of others across the UK.”

To sign up to the pledge and for more information on Stoptober, go to www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober