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Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB) is calling for greater Government investment into reversing the decline in NHS stop smoking services.

The call follows new figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre showing that the number of people using local stop smoking services and setting a quit date has fallen by nearly 50 per cent in three years to an all-time low.

The number of quitters using the most effective proven quitting method fell by a quarter between 2011/12 and 2013/14 and has since dropped by a further 23 per cent between 2013/14 and 2014/15.

This is the first time this number has fallen for three consecutive years and represents a 48 per cent decline between 2011/12 and 2014/15.

Anecdotal evidence suggests this may be due to an increase in people using e-cigarettes to help them stop smoking rather than making use of these services.

Donna Castle, PAGB director of public affairs and communications, said: €The use of stop smoking services is declining at an alarming rate because funding is being cut. We are calling on national and local health policy-makers to recognise the valuable contribution that these services can make to individuals, the NHS and the economy.

€Although smoking prevalence overall is decreasing, trends suggest this may plateau and there are considerable inequalities in rates of smoking so we must ensure that smokers continue to have access to the most effective interventions to support their quit attempt, which evidence shows to be licensed smoking cessation therapies, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), delivered in conjunction with behavioural support through Stop Smoking Services.€