BOLTON is one of the bottom five areas in England for smokers quitting the habit, shocking research has found.

According to the latest figures 16.1 per cent of Bolton residents are smokers ­— well above the average in England.

However, just 0.2 per cent of smokers in the town succeed in kicking the habit for good, Public Health England (PHE) has found.

This high level of smokers and small number of quitters is increasing hospital admissions and putting pressure on health services.

The problems extend region-wide with PHE study finding that the North West has one of the highest number of smokers in England.

An estimated 84,500 more people in the North West assuming the habit than the national average.

The region also ranks highly for smoking related hospital admissions, while spending on smoking cessation support has faced drastic cuts.

In a separate report published this week it was revealed that support to help the region’s smokers quit has been slashed dramatically in the last five years.

The study by Action on Smoking and Health and Cancer Research UK found that funding for smoking cessation support in the North West has fallen by 30 per cent since 2014.

The report’s authors say that cut backs on support mean the Government is in “serious danger” of missing targets to cut smoking rates to 12 per cent or less by 2022.

Trends show that while adult smoking rates are still falling figures have plateaued for other groups, notably pregnant women. Smoking rates between rich and poor also remain unchanged.

Kruti Shrotri, cancer prevention policy manager at Cancer Research UK called on the Government to reverse its public health budget cuts, adding: “Too many people still die from smoking, and we know that most smokers want to quit. Smokers in disadvantaged circumstances generally find quitting harder but are around three times more likely to quit successfully with the help of stop smoking services. We can’t deny those most in need of vital help that could save their life.”

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “We are delighted to note a significant downward trend in smoking prevalence in adults since 2011 reducing from 24.3% to 16.1%. [Public Health Outcome Framework]

“This downward trend in smoking prevalence is mirrored for young people and pregnant women.

“We acknowledge, however, that the rates remain higher than the national average and disproportionately affect health outcomes for our poorer communities.

“We therefore continue to invest in a Smoke Free Bolton and have support services to help Bolton’s population to quit smoking.”

For help to quit smoking:

  • Young people can access support from the new integrated 0-19 Health and Wellbeing service
  • Any adult can access advice, guidance and support via several community pharmacies across the borough
  • Pregnant women can access support from the Babyclear programme via your midwife