THE rate of people smoking in Barnsley reached a record low last year, new figures show.
Based on the 617 respondents to the Office for National Statistics’ annual population survey in Barnsley, an estimated 15 per cent of adults in the area were smokers in 2023 - down from 15.8 per cent the year before and the lowest since local records began in 2012.
The figures also showed 29.3 per cent of adults in Barnsley were ex-smokers, while 55.6 per cent have never smoked.
It comes as public health charity Action on Smoking and Health urged the government to bring forward its bill to end the sale of tobacco and to create a generation ‘free from the harms of smoking’.
ASH chief executive Hazel Cheeseman said the figures are proof the country is ‘ready to be smoke-free’.
She added: “There is cross-party support for ending the sale of tobacco and creating a generation free from the harms of smoking and government should bring forward the bill as soon as possible.”
Barnsley had the third highest rate of successful quitters in Yorkshire, with over 3,700 people per 100,000 reaching their set quit date.
A successful quitter is defined by the NHS as someone who has reported not smoking for at least 15 to 28 days and who has continued to remain smoke-free for a further 28 days from this date.
Paul Lambert, head of services at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “There are still many areas across our region where rates of smoking are higher than the national average.
“Ground-breaking programmes are essential to helping prevent smoking-related cancers in the region.”
However, more work has been promised to combat a surge in vaping among youngsters, which has seen Barnsley Council’s public health bosses express concern.
Figures showed the number using e-cigs in the past three years has tripled in Barnsley, with 20.5 per cent of children aged between 11 and 17 having tried vaping in 2023.
Ministers said that while vaping can play a ‘useful role’ in helping adult smokers to quit, non-smokers and children have been warned against picking up the habit due to long-term health impacts being unknown.
Anna Hartley, executive director for public health and communities, added: “Anything unnatural that lungs are exposed to is a concern but the rise in youngsters vaping is an issue we want to take action on.
“In Barnsley we’re committed to making sure everyone in our communities can get the support they need to live happier, healthier, longer lives.
“It has been great to share what our teams and partners are doing to support our communities and make smoking and vaping invisible.
“We have an unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health and fostering informed decision-making.
“It serves a valuable reminder of how by working together, we’re creating the change we want to see locally and nationally.”
