Kicking the habbit: Rotherham ranked among top places in the UK for successful quitting smoking

ROTHERHAM’S £250,000-plus investment in tackling smoking rates is paying off after the borough was ranked among the best places in the country for kicking the habit.

National research revealed 71 per cent of smokers in Rotherham have successfully quit — three-quarters of men compared with slightly less for women (69 per cent).

This placed Rotherham fourth nationally, with Warrington top, Barnsley second and Dudley third.

Seventy-three per cent of pregnant smokers in Rotherham managed to quit, while the age group with the best success rate was 45 to 59, according to data from nicotine pouch manufacturer Haypp.

The worst performing authorities were Warwickshire, West Sussex, and Sutton.

Total government expenditure in Rotherham for anti-smoking initiatives stood at £251,541.

Haypp’s Markus Lindblad said: “There are several other possible contributing factors to these success rates, but the fact that each of these local authorities is offering support in multiple locations and in many forms across the area is likely to be one of the biggest factors.

“For example, Rotherham and Warrington have invested heavily in ‘quit smoking’ resources, with both investing over £250,000 into their local initiatives.

“Hopefully these figures will continue to rise as more people quit smoking or use smoking alternatives.”

Rotherham’s director of public health, Ben Anderson, said: “It is great to see the high quit rate being achieved through our Get Healthy Rotherham service and to know that local people are accessing top quality support to overcome their nicotine dependency.

“There are many health benefits associated with giving up smoking, such as reducing your risk of heart disease, cancers and other lung diseases, and you are able to feel positive results right away.

“There are also other benefits people consider when giving up smoking including saving money or feeling more active.

“I encourage anyone thinking about stopping smoking or getting support with weight management to look at the Better Health website for self-management support or to get in touch with the Get Healthy Rotherham service and start their journey today.”

Last year, the Advertiser reported on figures published by charity Action on Smoking and Health, which found that smoking resulted in a £7 million social care bill in Rotherham and that early deaths of smokers cost the borough’s economy £8 million a year.