HEALTH workers are preparing for an increase in quitters after the smoking ban comes into force next month.

There are less than 30 days to go before it becomes illegal to light up in enclosed public places, and smokers are forced to go outside for a cigarette, from Sunday, July 1.

As a result, Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust has increased its smoking cessation funding by more than ten per cent.

PCT managers had already set aside £536,000 to help people quit during 2007/8, and have now injected an extra £61,000 into the pot.

The cash will fund more trained cessation workers in time for the winter months, when experts predict to see a rise in people quitting their habit.

Smoking cessation specialist Xanthe Bevis said: "The hope is that the introduction of the smoking ban will help save the overall number of lives, because smoke-free environments will cut passive smoking.

"But the law may also help reduce smoking prevalence by four per cent, as people decide to give up as a result.

"We think that by November and December, there will be more interest in our services, because people will be fed up of going outside in the cold for a cigarette."

From April to December 2006, 3,575 smokers signed up with the cessation service, and 59 per cent - 2,102 - managed to stay away from tobacco for at least four weeks.

They were supported by 500 qualified smoking advisors across Oxfordshire, while using nicotine replacement therapy. Most were based in GP surgeries, but school health nurses and hospital staff have also been trained.

Ms Bevis said: "We're increasing the service, extending it out to where people actually are.

"So we are training people in workplaces and in community settings."

Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust said it would not prescribe a new drug which stops quitters craving nicotine until it was officially approved later this year.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which decides which therapies and drugs should be funded by PCTs, gave Champix the thumbs-up on Thursday, subject to appeal.

The pill, which will cost £163.80 for a 12-week course, is expected to receive formal approval in July.