The areas in the East Midlands among 'smoking capitals' of UK
Rushcliffe saw the biggest percentage increase of estimated smokers in our region
Last updated 23rd Oct 2023
A number of areas in the East Midlands have been named among the top 'smoking capitals' of the UK.
The research, from the vape retailer Go Smoke Free, lists the local authorities which have seen the biggest increase in smokers between 2018 and 2021.
Rushcliffe saw the biggest jump, with the estimated number of smokers in 2021 (8.2%) more than double that in 2018 (3.6%).
Erewash saw the next biggest rise, with the estimated amount of smokers rising to nearly a fifth of the population.
See the top 100 places in the UK that saw the biggest increase in estimated smokers
A Go Smoke Free spokesperson said: “Although there has been a 6.19% decline in smokers between 2018 and 2021 across the UK, there a still a several areas that are reporting an uptake in people identifying as smokers.
“With 1st October marking the start of Stoptober throughout the UK, these regional differences in smoking prevalence underscore the importance of continued research and awareness campaigns to address these differences effectively.”
'I've saved over £50,000 since I stopped smoking'
Lou Ross ran a stop smoking service in Leicester, after quitting herself in 2004.
She says she bought a packet a day for 20 years before that, and reckons she's saved a small fortune by kicking the habit.
This October, she's urging others to consider doing the same:
'Packets were around £7 a packet on average. We know it's much more expensive now - you'd probably be paying around £13 a packet, that's what I saw in the supermarket recently...'
'...that would be a saving of £95,000, which is like winning the lottery.'
'I didn't know what to do with myself when I stopped. That's a common thing though, you feel completely lost, can't concentrate, sleep is disturbed...'
'...but when you get through those difficult days it starts to get easier, and you start to feel calmer generally.'