Health chiefs are urging smokers to show how much they care for their loved ones by quitting on Valentine’s Day next week.

It comes as research shows the smoking ban, which came into force in England in 2007, has “significantly” reduced the number of hospital admissions for heart disease as a result of passive smoking, according to health service Live Well Suffolk.

The smoking ban is thought to have reduced exposure to second-hand smoke has reduced heart attack rates by up to 42% across the UK.

Henry Tapp, who runs up Live Well Suffolk’s stop smoking services, said: “Many smokers don’t realise the impact their habit has on their loved ones.

“Second-hand smoke can contain up to 4,000 harmful chemicals which can increase their partners’ risk of developing heart disease and cancer. It can also increase the risk of asthma and cot death in children.

“This research shows that kicking the habit really does have a huge impact on not only the health and wellbeing of the smoker, but the health and wellbeing of their family too. Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your family how much you love them and take the first steps towards a smoke-free future.”

As the county’s healthy lifestyle service, Live Well Suffolk offers free support to help people quit smoking.

For more information about how they could help, please call 01473 229292 or visit their website here.