Festive message as smoking continues to decline across Yorkshire
Yorkshire Smokefree is running a Christmas campaign to help smokers to quit. It comes as new figures show up to 20% of smokers in some areas have ditched the cigarettes over the past four years on record.
The service is run by South West Yorkshire NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of local authorities in Barnsley, Calderdale, Doncaster, Kirklees, Rotherham, Sheffield and Wakefield.
According to Public Health England’s annual population survey; the number of adults smoking in Kirklees dropped by 20% between 2012 and 2015. During the same period the number of adults smoking dropped by 15% across Yorkshire and Humber and 12 % nationally. Just 16.4% of adults in Kirklees now smoke, which is lower than the national average of 16.9% and the regional average of 18.6%.
In Rotherham the number of smokers has reduced by 19%, with just 18% now smoking. Doncaster saw a 16% decrease, although almost 20% of people still smoke. Calderdale saw a 13% decrease and with now 18.7% of people smoking is very close to the regional average. Barnsley saw a 13% decrease although 21% of people still smoke. Wakefield also saw a 13% decrease although nearly 22% of people still smoke. Sheffield saw a 9% decrease and with 18.4% of people currently smoking are below regional the average.
During December 2016 and January 2017 Yorkshire Smokefree will be joining in the national ‘Health Harms’ campaign to remind smokers about the physical damage caused by smoking.
Sean Rayner, District Director – Barnsley & Wakefield, said: “We’re pleased to see the number of smokers dropping right across South and West Yorkshire, but there is still much work to do.
“Over the next month our advisors will be pointing out the immediate harm caused by every cigarette and make them aware of the invisible damage caused.
“They will aim to capitalise on seasonal motivation to help people make healthy changes.”
There are lots of ways to give up smoking and there is help to find a way tailored to each individual’s specific needs. Some clients may get free nicotine replacement therapy or Champix depending on eligibility. For more information people should call Yorkshire Smokefree for advice and tips on quitting smoking: 0800 612 0011 (free from landlines) or 0330 660 1166 (free from mobiles) or visit the website http://yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk