Fresh welcomes further fall in smoking in the North East
Fresh has welcomed new figures showing another fall in smoking in the North East – showing that 10.2% of adults in the region are smoking.
However, the regional tobacco control programme has warned the statistics may not take full account of people in hidden populations – and says smoking prevalence is higher in more deprived parts of the region.
The Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics, published today, puts NE adult smoking rates at 10.2% – the lowest figure on record and puts the region as the third lowest figure in England.
Nationally, the North East has seen the largest fall in adult smoking in England since 2005 when 29% of adults in the region were smoking (then the highest rate in the country). This is nearly a 65% reduction overall. Rates for the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board area are also down to 10.4%.
The North East has a Declaration for a Smokefree Future to end the death and disease of tobacco, which is supported by local authorities and the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board.
Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: “The latest figures show there has been a real and significant impact of local authorities, NHS, key partners like Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) working together with Fresh to take action on our biggest cause of ill health and early death.
“It is good to see smoking rates now down to record-low levels in the North East and lower than the average for England. Most people who smoke would like to be able to quit, and most have tried. We need to ensure everyone has access to effective quitting support and encouragement to give quitting a go, because it is never too late to stop.”
But she added: “While the long-term decline is reason to be proud, the reality is that these figures may be an underestimate. They may not include some people in priority groups like people in communal living like long‐stay hospitals, in prison, students in halls of residences or those experiencing homelessness or in temporary accommodation.
“Smoking is still driving cancer, cardiovascular disease and COPD, pressures on the NHS, social care and our economy, and costing our region nearly £2bn a year. We need combined action to deliver a smokefree future and the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which will help to make smoking history for future generations.
“With financial pressures tight, it is also surely time for the Government to consider a levy on the profits of tobacco companies which could free up £700m every year for vital quitting support and prevention work.”
Recent figures revealed that an estimated 124,000 young people have started smoking since the Tobacco and Vapes Bill was first introduced in November 2024. In the North East, 69% of adults support the proposals to raise the age of sale of lethal tobacco products by a year each year.