IT'S deadly, it's disgusting - and its days in North Yorkshire are numbered.

Today, health experts in York, Selby and Easingwold are joining forces with the Evening Press to launch a pioneering campaign to stamp out smoking in public places. The Yes to Clean Air Campaign we are running with the Selby and York Primary Care Trust is the most wide-ranging and determined anti-smoking drive North Yorkshire has yet seen. It aims to persuade dozens of businesses to become smoke-free, helping smoking employees quit the habit and protecting staff and public alike from the effects of second-hand smoke. It will also highlight the ways people can get help to kick this life-threatening habit.

Thousands of lives could be saved, and pubs, restaurants, shops and other public places will be more enjoyable places to visit as businesses sign up to the campaign.

Meanwhile, a new North Yorkshire survey shows just how unpopular the habit has become.

More than 65 per cent of respondents said they would support a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.

WOULD you like to live in a smoke-free environment?

Yes to Clean Air aims to help businesses become smoke-free.

As well as saving lives by helping smokers to quit, the scheme will protect the health of other workers at risk from the effects of breathing in second-hand smoke.

It could save cash by recouping time lost to cigarette breaks, reduce sickness levels and boost company productivity and profits, thereby safeguarding jobs.

Saying yes to clean air could even improve office morale by eradicating resentment among non-smokers about cigarette breaks. Smokers who want to quit will be offered free help and support by smoking specialists.

The PCT is leading the way by declaring its premises, which include the Selby War Memorial Hospital, St Monica's Hospital in Easingwold and the NHS Walk-in Centre in Monkgate, York, completely smoke-free from October.

The Evening Press is backing the scheme by closing its smoke room from today, while supporting smokers in their efforts to quit. Organisations large or small can join our campaign by applying for a special smoke-free workplace support pack.

Just fill in a coupon in the special supplement that comes with tonight's Evening Press.

The pack will include details on implementing a clean-air policy and an application form to receive a Yes to Clean Air award, which will be awarded to organisations who achieve totally smoke-free premises.

You can find details of how you can get help to stop smoking in tonight's supplement.

Meanwhile, a new survey reveals North Yorkshire residents strongly back a call for smoke-free enclosed public spaces.

The Centre for Health Promotion and Research at Leeds University discovered that of those surveyed:

Forty per cent said they would be more likely to eat out if smoking were banned, compared with only eight per cent who said they would be less likely

Just under 40 per cent said they would be more likely to go to a pub or bar for a drink, with 12.4 per cent less likely

Almost half the respondents said they would completely support a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces with another 15.2 per cent supporting it "a bit."

Jeremy Clough, the PCT's chief executive, said: "The Yes to Clean Air Campaign is an excellent opportunity for us to encourage people to stop putting people at risk from second-hand smoke. As a PCT we are introducing smoke-free premises and we would like to see as many businesses and organisations as possible across York, Easingwold and Selby, sign up to the campaign."

Rachel Johns, the PCT's director of public health, said: "The Yes to Clean Air Campaign is an excellent way for organisations to work with employees to create healthy working environments. A healthy workforce can benefit both staff and customers or clients."

The chairman of York Business Pride, Adam Sinclair, said he supported the campaign wholeheartedly. "I think that York already has a reputation for a fresh and distinctive environment and I think we need to capitalise on that further by eradicating smoking in the workplace - totally eradicating it."

Selby MP John Grogan said: "This welcome campaign by the Evening Press and the PCT makes good sense both in health terms and in business terms.

"Increasingly these days I think people prefer the places where they work and where they go for entertainment and to socialise to be smoke-free."

Sue Galloway, City of York Council's executive member for social services and health, said: "I approve of the campaign because smoking causes many diseases and if people give up smoking then money can be saved on their medical conditions and save the NHS quite a lot of money. I have shared offices with smokers and find it quite unacceptable.

Liz Page, managing director of York & County Press, said: "By saying yes to clean air, businesses can take a positive step towards a healthier environment for all."

Evening Press editor Kevin Booth said: "We are delighted to be involved with this campaign. It's not an attack on smokers - it's a determined effort to help everyone have a healthier, happier life."

Updated: 10:57 Monday, May 09, 2005