IF YOU are a smoker, hanging out with a cigarette outside a bar or restaurant, or even your place of work and a man comes up to you spouting something about giving up, do not ignore him.

Chris Brady is the man who has brought a smoking cessation system to Swindon, which claims to have a 90 per cent success rate.

And in order to get the word out about the IQS system, he is on the look out for smokers in their common hideouts.

Since the smoking ban was introduced last summer, huddles of smokers around back doors or under shelters outside of various venues from bars to hospitals have become familiar sights.

So Chris is making the most of this in the name of business, as well as giving smokers a chance to try a new way to quit.

Nicotine cravings are the downfall of many a quitter, and for some, gums and patches just do not provide a replacement for the effect of a cigarette.

"We take a carbon monoxide machine out and smokers blow into it and we can assess their health effect from smoking right there and then," said Chris.

"Whenever you approach a group of smokers they have a sense of camaraderie of being smokers together, but once you engage on a one-to-one basis they are more receptive to finding out more about IQS.

"It's much the same if people come into the office with someone else or by themselves."

IQS combats the cravings, stopping them from leaving their source in the brain, through the electro-stimulation of reflex points on the outside of the ear to quash nicotine cravings.

The stimulation of the points on the ear increases the amount of endorphins in the system, and these in turn "cover" nicotine molecules and the receptors which are relevant to tobacco addiction, avoiding a nicotine withdrawal crisis.

According to IQS, the ex-smoker experiences less stress, with no risks or side effects, such as the desire to eat more.

The system reports a 70 per cent success rate on first time treatments, and a 90 per cent success for those who follow the full course of four treatments.

So far 500,000 people worldwide are reported to have quit smoking as a result of the IQS treatment, which originated in Spain.

Most patients only pay one visit to the centre for an assessment of their smoking habits which is followed by the administration of the reflexology, If after the course of four treatments within six months, the smoker has not been able to quit, IQS promise a full refund on the £400 course fee.

"Part of the success rate is that we only treat people who are committed to stopping smoking," said Chris, who previously worked as an acupuncturist.

"We do send some people away, with advice, if we feel we cannot help them.

"Our target is to treat someone on their first visit, but everybody is different and it can sometimes take three of four sessions."

Swindon IQS, at 170a Victoria Road, is the first centre in the country to be launched outside the brand's head office in Cheshire and in London.

For more information visit www.quit withiqs.co.uk, or call 01793 436476.