Smoking rates drop across Wiltshire

Smokefree Wiltshire has welcomed figures showing a decline in smoking rates in Wiltshire to their lowest levels since records began. The Annual Population Survey from the Office for National Statistics put smoking rates at 8.4% a drop from 10.6% in 2023.

Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health for Wiltshire, said, “This is really positive news for Wiltshire and reflects the hard work and dedication of our stop smoking teams, who support residents to quit every day.

“While it’s encouraging that smoking rates in Wiltshire continue to fall, we still have some way to go to reach our ambition of becoming a smokefree county, with smoking rates of 5% or less, by 2029. That’s why we remain committed to helping as many people as possible across Wiltshire to quit for good.”

Cllr Clare Cape, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Coordination with the NHS, said “Smoking not only harms individuals and families, but it also costs Wiltshire’s economy around £209 million in lost productivity every year, and an additional £14 million to the NHS, according to figures from ASH*. Continuing to reduce smoking rates will save lives and bring significant health and economic benefits to our communities.

“Wiltshire residents can seek free support to quit smoking either by downloading the Smoke Free app, or via their local expert stop smoking service or GP.”

For people like 66-year-old Vicki Lofts from Seend, stopping smoking can be life-changing. Vicky smoked for 55 years before quitting smoking with the help of the Smoke Free app, which is currently available to Wiltshire residents for free.  

Vicki says: “I’ve been a nurse all of my life, so I knew that smoking was damaging but I couldn’t stop. I was addicted and when you’re addicted the denial is real. I didn’t think anything would happen to me, so when I went for a lung cancer screening earlier in the year and was told I was in the early stages of COPD I knew I had to stop. It was like a switch had flipped in my mind – the results of the cancer screening were the incentive I needed to stop smoking.

“Once I had decided to quit smoking, I decided to set my quit date for two days before my birthday in May and signed up to the Smoke Free app. I found the app really helpful as it gives you 24/7 access to a stop smoking advisor. I also received a vape really quickly, which was important as once I’d set a quit date I wanted to start straight away while I was in the right frame of mind.  

“There have been so many benefits to quitting smoking. My sleep and taste have improved, my clothes, car and house don’t smell and the stains on my teeth have gone. I have more energy, and my resting pulse rate has gone down from the high 80s to the 60s. I no longer sit around smoking, I’m more fit and active. I’ve bought myself a walking machine and walk 1.5 miles every day. I would never have done that if I hadn’t stopped smoking. If I can quit after smoking for 55 years, anyone can quit. It’s never too late.”

For links to download the Smoke Free app or to contact Wiltshire Council’s stop smoking service, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/smokefree