For those seeking to quit cigarettes in 2024, may struggle down to something completely out of their control. Our town's geography.

That is because Cheshire East - the local authority Congleton residents are in - has been named one of the worst places to quit smoking in Great Britain.

The research, conducted by Go Smoke Free, analysed new ONS data over the last eight years for all counties in England, Wales and Scotland to find out the average reduction rate in the smoking population for each county.

It also analysed each county's estimated 'smoke-free' year to calculate a total score for each county. 

A cigarette machine. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

And Cheshire East has been named as the seventh-worst place to quit smoking cigarettes in Britain.

Discounting towns in Wales and Scotland, Cheshire East is the fifth-worst area in England for those trying to quit smoking.

Ryedale in North Yorkshire was identified as the worst place to quit ciggies, earning a score of 30.4. Estimated to be smoke-free in over 13 years, this county shows an average smoking increase rate of 64.6%. The data reveals a turbulent history in dealing with smoking populations and has experienced an overall growth of 19% in its smoking population since 2015. This starkly contrasts the UK average, which has dropped 23%. 

Cheshire East scored 41.2, tied in joint-seventh with Derby, and only slightly better than sixth-place Central Bedfordshire.

NHS data suggests smoking causes around 80% of deaths from lung cancer, around 80% of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema, and about 14% of deaths from heart disease. (Pexels)

Cheshire East Council's public health team have been contacted for comment.

In 2022, Cheshire East Council experimented with paying pregnant women to get them to quit smoking.

The estimated smoking population for 365 counties in England, Wales, and Scotland was collected annually between 2015 and 2022 from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

This data was used to calculate an average reduction rate for each county. Data was also collected from Smoke Free Future to find out what year each county was estimated to be smoke-free. By combining the average reduction rate and estimated years until a smoke-free county, a calculated score was produced to rank each county accordingly. 

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for Go Smoke Free said, "This research reveals a concerning reality."

A national anti-smoking advert. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"This stark contrast to the nationwide push for a smoke-free generation, highlighted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's recent legislation, underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions.

"As we navigate these challenges, it becomes clear that learning from successes and setbacks is essential in our shared journey toward a healthier, smoke-free future for our nation." 

In October 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to raise the age of cigarettes sale one year every year from 2027 onwards.

This would effectively outlaw smoking for future generations, as a way to curb smoking rates.

Rishi Sunak announced plans to curb smoking last autumn. (Image - Open Government Licence)

Overall, 12.9% of UK citizens identify as smokers, according to 2022 data. This figure was 19.6% ten years earlier.

You can read more about the PM's plans for a 'smoke free generation' on this link.

For help with quitting smoking in Cheshire East, please click HERE.