UK anti-smoking guru Carr dies of lung cancer

LONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) Allen Carr, an anti-smoking campaigner who helped millions quit after he kicked a 100-a-day habit, died from lung cancer yesterday, his spokesman said.

The 72-year-old claimed to have helped 25 million people to quit, including celebrities such as Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, actor Anthony Hopkins and Italian soccer player Gianluca Vialli.

He sold millions of books on giving up smoking and opened 70 clinics in 30 countries. He was diagnosed with cancer in July.

Carr died in his sleep at his home near Malaga, in Spain, with his wife and daughters at his bedside.

''Our hearts go out to Allen's family and the millions of former smokers who will be saddened by his passing,'' said John Dicey, Worldwide Director of Carr's Easyway group.

''He was an iconic figure and a real inspiration.'' Doctors were unable to say whether the disease was linked to his habit or his clients, who were allowed to continue smoking during their treatment.

''I estimate I've cured 25 million smokers over the years,'' Carr said in a recent interview. ''And if my illness is the price for that, it's worth paying.'' The former accountant claimed a 90 per cent success rate. He told smokers to focus on their addiction to nicotine rather than relying on willpower.

He said smokers are locked in a cycle of replacing the nicotine in their system. The pleasure they feel after each cigarette comes from feeding the craving for nicotine.

Carr said he would have died 20 years ago if he had carried on smoking.

''Since I stopped smoking more than 23 years ago I have been the happiest man in the world,'' he said when he was diagnosed.

He had smoked for more than 30 years after starting at the age of 18.

REUTERS AKJ BST1012