More smokers are kicking the habit in Wolverhampton
Smokers in Wolverhampton are giving up the bad habit more than anywhere else in the region, recent figures have revealed.
The percentage of smokers in Wolverhampton dropped from from 22.9 per cent in 2012 to 16.5 per cent in 2016 which is more than anywhere else in the West Midlands, according a study by Public Health England.
The second biggest drop in the region was Walsall which decreased by 5.5 per cent in the four years, followed by Sandwell which fell by 3.9 per cent.
Both Staffordshire and Dudley saw only a small decrease in the percentage of smokers with 1.2 per cent.
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Councillor Paul Sweet, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "While it is pleasing to see that the proportion of adults who smoke has fallen markedly in Wolverhampton over the last five years - and particularly in the last year - it is still too high.
"Tobacco use remains the single largest cause of health inequalities and premature death in Wolverhampton, and for every death caused by smoking, another 20 people suffer from smoking-related diseases.
"And it's not just the smokers themselves that suffer; smoking in pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth and neonatal complications.
"Of course, quitting smoking is not only healthier for you and your family, it can also save you hundreds of pounds a year.
"The council and its partners are working hard reducing smoking rates in Wolverhampton further.
"Whilst smoking prevalence has decreased, the hard to reach smokers are the ones who are yet to quit.
"We need to find different ways of supporting those individuals in helping them to quit and reduce inequalities locally.
“The number of young people who start smoking has reduced but to reach the ambitious government target of a smokefree generation by the end of 2022 we need to continue working on this. Early intervention is important to prevent young people from becoming smokers.
"And we are also working hard to tackle smoking in pregnancy. In particular, working together with our key partners in the NHS is essential, especially with midwives, health visitors and GPs; who are key in highlighting the importance of a smokefree pregnancy and smokefree children.”
For more information and free support and advice, visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/stopsmoking
Tobacco use remains the single largest cause of health inequalities and premature death in Wolverhampton, and for every death caused by smoking, another 20 people suffer from smoking-related disease.
Smokefree school programmes are offered at both primary and secondary schools around Wolverhampton to prevent young people from picking up the bad habit and carrying that addiction onto into adulthood.
To help people quit smoking, support is offered from Wolverhampton Healthy Lifestyles Service, GP practices and pharmacies and also online at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/stopsmoking where there is a self referral option for face to face support.
Alternatively, there are links to apps, email or SMS messages.
The council have recently launched a new initiative giving health visitors and midwives the tools they need to discuss the dangers of smoking during pregnancy and to encourage pregnant smokers to quit to reduce the risk or a miscarriage or neonatal complications.
The report also revealed the West Midlands saw the biggest decrease in smoking percentages since 2007 compared to any other region in the country.
Every year around 55,650 people in the West Midlands still end up in hospital due to smoking attributable conditions.
