Suffolk smoking rates have declined by 34 percent since 2015

Research by gosmokefree.co.uk analysing data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) between 2015 and 2023.

According to the figures in 2016, 16.1% of adults in the county smoked but by last year this had declined to 10.6%.

It means that Suffolk is the county with the 10th highest number of smokers who have quit behind Surrey, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, East Sussex, Nottinghamshire, Cumbria and Somerset.

Regionally the number of smokers having declined by 34% in Cambridgeshire, 30% in Essex and 22% in Norfolk.

According to a report published by Healthwatch Suffolk in March 2022 figures from the ONS showed that at 14% the county had a higher share of adult smokers compared to the national average.

A self-reported study conducted by Healthwatch Suffolk earlier this year showed that 43% of the sample who had quit smoking had used vaping as a tool to help them quit.

ONS data from last year estimates that 11.5% people in the NHS Suffolk and North Essex area are smokers compared to 13.6% in 2022, 13.7% in 2021and 14.3% in 2020.

The ONS has also calculated that between 2019 and 2023 an average of 16.9% of people in Ipswich were smokers compared to 13.1% in East Suffolk, 12.6% in Babergh, 12.4% in East Suffolk and 10.3% in Mid Suffolk.

Andy Yacoub, chief executive of Healthwatch Suffolk, said: “The reduction in smoking seen in Suffolk reflects a national trend.

Andy Yacoub, of Healthwatch Suffolk (Image: Gregg Brown)

"Nonetheless, the use of tobacco products remains a leading cause of preventable death, not only impacting a person’s health and wellbeing, but also creating long-term avoidable demand on health services.

“In our local research, we have explored a wide range of attitudes and views about smoking and vaping locally, along with the complex motivations behind why individuals start smoking and why they choose to quit.

"This is why we are encouraging our local systems to consider personalised and flexible methods to help people when they want to stop."

Steve Wiles  Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Heath and Public Protection said;

“Suffolk has made great progress in reducing smoking rates, thanks to growing awareness of the health risks and the support available to help people quit. However, there’s still work to do to further reduce smoking and improve health across our communities."