Plans to ban lighting up in bars and restaurants have caused a massive increase in the numbers of Scottish smokers seeking help to kick the habit.
 
Calls to the national smoking helpline have soared by an unprecedented 50 percent in the year since ministers unveiled the cigarette ban, which is due to become law next year, reports the Scottish daily Scotsman.

Scottish doctors have confirmed that many of those asking for help to stop smoking cite the imminent ban as a key factor. Anti-smoking prescriptions and sales of nicotine patches have also soared.

The Scottish Executive's bill, which will impose fines of up to 1,100 pounds on those who light up in pubs and restaurants, could be in place as early as next April, despite widespread opposition.

Smokers, many of whom already feel under siege, recently lost one of the highest-profile celebrities among them when 30-cigarettes-a-day actor Ewan McGregor revealed he had quit.

New figures from Smokeline show a 53 percent increase in callers in the 12 months from March 2004 - up from 41,500 to 63,000.

The executive announced in January 2004 that it was to consult on a possible smoking ban. Two months later it emerged restrictions were all but certain.

The surge in would-be quitters has come despite no major increase in government advertising aimed at persuading smokers to stop.

Sally Haw, research specialist from National Health Service (NHS) Health Scotland - the agency which operates Smokeline - said: "The increase is very much welcome and shows that public attitudes are changing.

A spokeswoman for the pharmaceuticals firm Novartis, which makes Nicotinell, Niquitin CQ and Nicorette, said Britain-wide sales had risen 12 percent for the past four weeks, compared with the same period last year.