York Achieves One of UK’s Lowest Smoking Rates at 6.7%

The city of York is celebrating a major public health achievement, with new data revealing it now has one of the lowest adult smoking rates in the UK. According to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, just 6.7% of adults in York now smoke, placing the city eighth-lowest in England.

This significant progress is largely attributed to the city’s dedicated Health Trainer Service. The program, launched by the City of York Council, offers free, personalized stop-smoking support, including behavioral advice and access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or free vape starter kits as part of the national “Swap to Stop” initiative. The service has already helped over 135 residents quit smoking and has been extended for another 12 months.

Councillor Lucy Steels Walshaw, executive member for health, praised the collective effort: “York’s continued progress in reducing smoking rates is a testament to the dedication of our health trainers and the commitment of residents to lead healthier lives.”

The program’s real-world impact is highlighted by residents like Pete Milner, a grandad and HGV driver who stopped smoking after 50 years with support from the service. “I was struggling to breathe and had a really awful cough,” he said. “I quit over six weeks ago and the difference you can tell after the first two weeks – your breathing starts getting a bit easier… I’m not even wheezing at all now and I’m sleeping better.” He urged others considering quitting to contact the York Health Trainers for their “really supportive” help.

This success is part of a broader positive trend, with smoking rates across the Humber and North Yorkshire region dropping to a record low of 11.7%, equating to nearly 15,000 fewer smokers. Glyn Newberry, public health manager at the council, added, “Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but with the right help, it’s absolutely achievable.”

• The City of York Council encourages anyone considering quitting to visit www.york.gov.uk/HealthTrainers for free support.

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