SMOKERS can swap their cigarettes for mobile phone games after a charity has adopted technology as its latest weapon in the war against smoking in Worcestershire.

The British Heart Foundation has taken the revolutionary decision to bring its support for those who want to quit the potentially deadly habit into the 21st Century.

Troubled quitters who find themselves reaching for the cigarette packet can now keep their fingers busy by playing Fatris - a tetris-style puzzle game on their mobile phone or the internet.

Interactive television programmes, mobile phone text alerts and internet chat rooms or e-mails are also part of the BHF's fresh fight to combat smoking, which has come thanks to a Department of Health £5m cash injection.

Claire Simmons, Worcestershire spokeswoman for the charity, said: "As most smokers want to give up, we need to give them all the advice and support they need to succeed.

Dangers

"That's why we're using digital technology to wage war on cigarettes, letting people know the dangers and helping them to give up before it's too late."

The new drive has come after the BHF's recent Give Up Before You Clog Up campaign, that saw adverts featuring cigarettes dripping with fatty deposit that clogs up arteries, caused by smoking, and leads to heart disease.

The adverts are back on our screens this week, as well as posters and beer mats which will be hitting Worcestershire's pubs and health centres.

It was the original campaign that has prompted the charity's new attack on smoking, after smokers called for more up-to-date help.

Free texts and e-mails will be sent to quitters' inboxes, detailing how their bodies recover after certain lengths of going without the "evil weed".

Welcomed

The BHF also said that the most effective way to stub out the habit is through a NHS stop smoking service.

Shirley Woods, clinical nurse specialist for the Worcestershire Smoking Advice Service, welcomed the new campaign.

She added: "For those who have given up in the past but started again I would use the old clich, don't give up giving up.

"When you are motivated to quit, if you come to the service we can support you through your quit attempt to a successful outcome."

For more information call the service on 01905 760222 or log on to www.bhf.org. uk/smoking and click on to "free SMS support".