There’s never been a better time to be kicking the habit
THE number of smokers in Halton has plunged by just under 17% in the last 12 months according to Public Health England (PHE).
Halton Borough Council highlighted the figures as it urged others to kick their nicotine habit and better protect themselves from the ravages of Covid19, which can respiratory problems and pneumonia.
A spokeswoman for the local authority said smokers who catch coronavirus are likely to have it for longer and suffer more serious effects.
She said the borough’s quit rate – the number of people trying to kick the habit who are successful – is high at 61%, better than the averages for the North West (47%) and England (52%).
And although the smoking rate in Halton remains higher than average at 14.9% of the population, it has dropped from 17.9% since last year.
Halton Council has urged tobacco users to make use of the available support services to help them quit.
Cllr Marie Wright (health and wellbeing) said: “Now more than ever, quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.
“Our team are still here to give you advice and support by phone and I urge anyone who is thinking of quitting to give them a call today.
“We are making great strides in reducing smoking in Halton.
“As well as our Stop Smoking Service clinics for the general public, we are working direct with many local employers to offer in-house support and training and we are working with local midwives and NHS teams to encourage pregnant smokers to give up.”
Residents who want to quit can call the Halton Stop Smoking Service on 0300 029 0029 or email HIT@halton.gov.uk