The number of smokers in Bradford continues to fall as new figures show a further 23 per cent of smokers in the district have given up.

Office for National Statistics figures recorded the lowest proportion of smokers in the UK to date, with e-cigarettes playing a "major role" in the decline.

The ONS data shows 15.4 per cent of people aged over 18 in Bradford were smokers in 2021, down slightly from 16.2 per cent the year before. It was also a fall from 22.2 per cent five years ago.

Last year, a further 23 per cent  of adults in the area were ex-smokers while 61.6 per cent had never smoked.

Men in Bradford smoked more than women with 19.9 per cent  taking up cigarettes, while 11.1 per cent of women smoked.

Leader of Bradford Council, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “It’s very positive to see that the number of smokers in the district is coming down.

“We know most smokers want to stop but that it can be tough, however quitting smoking is one of the best things anyone can do for their health.

“We are really proud of our stop-smoking service across the district with many people now able to access support through their pharmacy or GP as well as directly through Bradford Council’s Living Well Service.”

The current tobacco control plan aims to reduce smoking prevalence among adults in England to 12 per cent or less by the end of 2022.

Regionally, 14.1 per cent of adults in Yorkshire and The Humber were smokers with those aged from 25 to 34 making up the highest proportion of smokers.

Across the UK, 13.3 per cent of adults smoked cigarettes in 2021, down from 14.0 per cent last year and a significant fall from 20.20 per cent a decade ago.

The ONS said the increase in people taking up e-cigarettes has played a "major role" in the fall with a separate survey finding 7.7 per cent of those aged 16 and over in Great Britain last year used an e-cigarette daily or occasionally.

It was an increase from 2020, when 6.2 per cent of people reported daily or occasional e-cigarette use.

Rose Dunlop Consultant in Public Health at Bradford Council said “At the start of the new year we’re encouraging people to give up smoking.

"Although lots of smokers have probably tried stopping smoking before, we’re urging them not to give up on quitting. In addition to the health benefits a big motivation to give it another go is around the cost of smoking and what you can save by quitting.  

“Smokers who use a specialist stop smoking service such as our Living Well Service are three times more likely to succeed than if they try to quit alone.”

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