The indoor smoking ban has been credited with convincing a quarter more smokers to kick the habit.
The latest figures from the NHS show 165,000 quit with the help of their Stop Smoking Service between April and September last year - an increase of 28 per cent since the introduction of the ban in July.
The latest Department of Health campaign - Getting Off Cigarettes - launched on Boxing Day has already received approaches from 73,000 smokers.
Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said the figures were great news.
"It's not easy to overcome a nicotine addiction so it's clear that the NHS Stop Smoking Service is providing a vital service," she said.
"And these figures are confirmation that the £56million we invested into the service last year was money well spent.
"This follows the news last week that a smaller proportion of adults now smoke - 22 per cent down from 24 per cent."
The Government has set a target to reduce the number of people smoking in England to 21 percent of the population by 2010.
- What impact has the smoking ban had on you? Have you quit? Are you about to? Let us know in the comments section below.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article