'We're the smoking capital of the Midlands' - Black Country borough where almost one in five light up
Sandwell Council and health partners in the borough say they are doing all they can to help people become smoke free after the latest figures show the borough has the highest rate of people smoking in the Midlands.
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Out of 30 areas of the Midlands surveyed using Office For National Statistics (ONS) data from 2023, Sandwell came out top with a smoking rate of 17.4 per-cent, ahead of North Warwickshire on 16.5 per-cent and Stoke-on-Trent on 16.2 per-cent.
Birmingham was fifth with 15.7 per-cent and Cannock Chase in eighth on 14.6 per-cent, just ahead of Walsall on 14.5 per-cent.
Nationally, the highest rate was in Fenland was 22.1 per-cent and Blackpool was in second with 21,3 per-cent
The ONS obtains the data from two main surveys which collate information on the number of adults aged 18 and over who smoke and those who use e-cigarettes.
The data found cigarette smoking rates overall had fallen from 2011 when ONS figures began to show around 6m million people aged 18 years and over (11.9%) smoked cigarettes in the UK in 2023 and 5.1 million adults aged 16 years and over used e-cigarettes daily or occasionally.
But Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has been working with public health teams from both Sandwell and Birmingham City council's to offer the programme to inpatient and those coming through the Lung Cancer Screening programme.
Smoking cessation is offered to inpatients currently being cared for within cardiology, respiratory, acute medicine and maternity wards at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick - a smoke free hospital - and 40-per-cent of inpatients at the trust have taken on the challenge to quit.
Steve Nelson, Lung Cancer Screening Programme Manager, said: “Both the Lung Cancer Screening Programme, and the smoking cessation initiative offered to inpatients are making a real difference and saving lives.”
Those who are discharged are referred to their local public health smoking cessation team for further treatment in both Sandwell and West Birmingham.
Mr Nelson added: “Hospital patients are more receptive to very brief advice and an offer of support to stop smoking, as they are often experiencing a period of heightened motivation to quit smoking as a result of their medical condition.
“Stopping smoking will not only benefit a patient’s long-term health by reducing the risk of developing smoking related disease, but abstinence may also help a patient to recover quicker by eliminating the acute effects of smoking on the body.
A spokesman for Sandwell Council said: “Even though smoking rates in Sandwell have gone down to 17.7% in 2023 we know there is more to do.
“We have a number of initiatives to help people live healthier, smoke-free lives. Our brand new stop smoking service – Stop For Life Sandwell. is free for anyone who lives, works, or has a GP in Sandwell.
“The service gives people 12 weeks of one-to-one help with a trained coach. There are also friendly hubs in the community where you can get support, and an app called Best You that gives advice and tips anytime you need it.
“We know quitting smoking isn’t always easy, but no one has to do it alone. If you want help to stop smoking, call 0800 612 4580, visit the Stop For Life Sandwell website, or search for us on social media.”
