Number of smokers in Wakefield district continues to fall

The figures from Public Health England show that number of people that smoke in the district has fallen significantly from 19.5 per cent to 17.9 per cent in the space of just one year. This has also significantly lowered the gap with the average for Yorkshire and Humber, which is 17 per cent. The rate of decline is also greater than that of the national average.

The amount of women that smoke during pregnancy has also fallen from 19.5 per cent in 2016/17 to 17.7 per cent in 2017/18.

Coun Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council, said: “It is great news that the numbers of smokers in the district continues to fall. But nearly one in five adults in the district is still a smoker, so we know that there is much more to be done.

“Stopping smoking is the single best thing a smoker can do to improve their health. By giving up, they can dramatically reduce their chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

“Quitting isn’t easy, but people are four times more likely to succeed with the support of a service, such as the Wakefield Stop Smoking Service with has 13 clinics across the district.”

Although smoking levels in the district are falling, the habit is still the single biggest cause of preventable ill health and death.

Wakefield Council is continuing to work with partners to tackle smoking in the district by commissioning a stop smoking service, creating smokefree playparks and events and working with Trading Standards to tackle illicit tobacco.

The council is also urging people and organisations across the district to sign up and support Breathe 2025, a campaign which aims for children to grow up smokefree and protected from health harms caused by tobacco. For more information visit the Breathe 2025 website at www.Breathe2025.org.uk.

Residents can contact the Wakefield Stop Smoking Service, which can also support those using e-cigarettes as a quitting aid, at wakefield.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk or call 0800 612 0011.