NEARLY one third of people in Glasgow smoke - a figure well above the Scottish average.

New statistics from the British Heart Foundation show 29% of residents smoke, or 173,000 people, more than the nationwide figure of 25%.

The charity is now calling on smokers to take advantage of local services to help them quit.

Marjory Burns, director at BHF Scotland, said: "Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do to ­improve your health.

"Stubbing the cigarettes out will significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and a variety of cancers and you'll have more money to spend on things that you enjoy."

The appeal comes ahead of No Smoking Day, on March 12, which last year saw one million people across the UK pledge to quit.

Research from the BHF shows that weight worries are a block to people giving up cigarettes.

Its figures show more than two-thirds of smokers want to give up but one in five Scots are putting it off because they are concerned about putting on weight.

The poll also revealed that nearly one in four Scottish smokers have lit up after a meal to stop them eating more.

Victoria Taylor, senior heart health dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Some smokers feel they need to smoke to keep trim but, contrary to the urban myth, you don't have to consign yourself to an early grave in order to stay in control of your waistline.

"We're encouraging people to start their own battle plan now by following our tips and filling their fridge and handbag with healthy snacks to help them ditch the cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day and come out looking better than ever."

Research from stop smoking services shows smokers are four times more likely to be effective in quitting if they use specialist stop smoking support and treatment.

In Scotland, more than 13,000 people die from smoking related causes each year, ­including an estimated 3000 from heart and circulatory ­diseases and 6000 from cancer.

Marjory added: "We know quitting isn't easy but last year nearly a million smokers across the UK used No Smoking Day to try and mark the start of their smoke free future.

"It's also great to see that there will be lots of opportunities coming up for Glaswegians to get active and improve their health as part of the Active 2014 campaign."

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk