THE INCREASED Covid risks for smokers are being highlighted by health chiefs in Leeds as part of a national campaign. People in the city are being urged to quit as part of the National No Smoking Day campaign– as new figures reveal a dramatic rise in those attempting to give up. In the past year, One You Leeds – the city’s stop smoking service - has seen a significant increase in the number of people accessing support. Meanwhile nationally, over half a million people have attempted to quit since the Covid-19 outbreak. Smokers risk a range of serious long-term health problems. Most importantly at this time, smoking impairs lung function, making it more difficult for the body to fight off diseases such as Covid-19. In addition the repetitive hand-to-mouth motion provides an easy route of entry, putting smokers at greater risk of contracting the virus.