A new service to help young people in the Isle of Man stop smoking is being launched.

It's part of an ongoing health campaign in the run-up to the Public Smoking ban, which starts on March 30.

Youngsters who want to quit will be able to get professional help through their high school - and some may even be offered nicotine replacement therapy.

James Davis has more (audio file attached):

Young smokers who want to quit are promised easy, regular and confidential support and advice.

This will be offered by school nurses in each of the five secondary schools and trained advisors from the Youth and Community service.

Students at Isle of Man College can visit the Quit4You drop-in clinic.

The schools' initiative is being run by the DHSS and department of education - together they want to help young smokers quit before they spend a lifetime addicted to cigarettes.

The average age a young person in the Island smokes their first cigarette is 11 - and by the mid teens, 20 per cent smoke daily.

School nurses will be able to provide some pupils with nicotine replacement therapy in the form of patches, inhalators or lezenges - under a strict protocol.