Nearly 15 per cent of the adult population in Oldham are thought to be smokers, according to new estimated figures.

The figures have been published by the Office for National Statistics which estimates the proportion of the adult population who are current smokers in each local authority in the UK.

According to the figures, an estimated 14.9 per cent of Oldham adults are smokers, which is higher than the national average of around 13 per cent.

The figures are five-year averages covering the period 2019-23 because the data is based on small sample sizes and can vary a lot from year to year.

Oldham Council Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, Barbara Brownridge, said: “If you smoke, then quitting is the single best thing you can do for your health and your families.

“Many people in Oldham have successfully quit smoking, in fact our smoking rates have reduced by a third since 2016. Despite this fall, smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable disease and deaths in Oldham so helping people to stop smoking and preventing harm from tobacco remains a priority for the council.

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“We know it’s not easy to quit, but it's much easier with the right advice and support. There are lots of options out there to help you.

"Stoptober gives you the perfect opportunity to quit smoking. Stay smoke-free for 28 days, and you’re fives times more likely to quit for good. If it's your first time or you've tried before, there are tools and support available to help you on your quit journey. Visit makesmokinghistory.co.uk where you can find help, advice and details of how to access specialist stop smoking support.

“We know that we have a long way to go and that giving up smoking isn’t easy for anyone. We’re optimistic that with the services available and plans in place we’ll continue to change attitudes towards smoking and get fewer people using tobacco related products.”

The local authority with the highest estimated proportion of adult smokers was Fenland, Cambridgeshire, followed by Blackpool, with 22.1 per cent and 21.3 per cent respectively.

Down at the other end, Woking in Surrey had the lowest estimated proportion of adult smokers, with just 5.3 per cent.