In an age when we are more aware than ever before about the dangers of smoking and the cost of the habit has never been higher, still we have as many as one third of the population lighting up.

Giving up smoking, especially after many years, is very difficult as tens of thousands will testify, but like most things which are hard to achieve the benefits eventually outweigh the effort.

A longer, healthier life with more cash in your pocket awaits those who break the habit.

But you don't need to struggle by on your own.

Help is available from the NHS, with nicotine replacement therapy to lean on through the worst times and smoking cessation groups provide support from other people striving for the same goal.

Our Clear The Air campaign, with Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire health boards will guide smokers towards those services and offer the advice people need to make the first step to help them decide they want to quit.

All our public health agencies have a role to play in helping people to quit smoking and with a concerted approach and the will to give up from individual smokers, we can all help clear the air and make Scotland healthier and cleaner.