Now, there’s an easier way of keeping it.

Three out of 20 people in Armidale smoke, a Heart Foundation report finds.

University of Newcastle researcher Flora Tzelepis said people in rural and regional towns face more barriers to smoking cessation support.

“It is important that all people who smoke have access to support services if they are interested in quitting or changing their smoking habits,” she said.

“Attending face-to-face services for support can be difficult especially for those who live in regional and remote areas.”

A randomised trial aims to remedy that.

Support to stop smoking will be provided with video, telephone or written platforms at no cost to participants.

The idea is that some try direct face-to-face contact with advisors over Skype or other face-to-face communication like WhatsApp or FaceTime.

Some would-be quitters would talk to advisers over the phone and some just get written advice.

The researchers suspect that when smokers get face-to-face advice from people they trust, they are more likely to succeed in quitting, but they want to test the hypothesis – and that's why there are the different groups.

The study is looking for people who smoke cigarettes or tobacco every day, are age 18 and over and have access to a telephone, video communication, internet and email.

They must also live in regional or rural NSW.

If you want to be part of the confidential research apply at newcastle.edu.au/profile/flora-tzelepis#news.